Record high water temperatures and low river levels likely contributed to the deaths of more than 80 fish in two South Taranaki waterways this year, the Taranaki Regional Council says.
A report to the council’s operations and regulatory committee said 27 fish died in the Waingongoro River and a further 55 fish were found dead in the Kaūpokonui River in January.
An investigation was launched after members of the public alerted Taranaki Fish and Game to the deaths. The affected species included tuna (long-fin eel) and trout.
The investigation revealed that water temperatures in both rivers were the highest on record and were elevated for several days around the time the dead fish were discovered. Temperatures were up to 5C warmer than usual for the time of year.