Beachmere Fish Deaths - Progress update

Published 23 April 2019

Moreton Bay Regional Council has confirmed the fish kill in Beachmere’s tidal pond (reported to Council on 29 March 2019) was the result of an algal bloom triggered by the influx of nutrient rich stormwater.

The algal bloom followed significant rainfall of over 130mm on 15-16 March and the plant’s growth was so prolific that it caused very low dissolved oxygen levels in the lake.

Council also investigated the potential for a range of other contaminants to have contributed to the fish deaths, but laboratory results did not identify the presence of pesticides or other pollutants in concentrations that would result in a fish kill.

In response to last month’s situation, Council implemented a range of actions to assist in flushing the lake and to offset the poor water quality conditions.

Supplementary aerators were deployed at the southern end of the lake, to help improve dissolved oxygen levels, and were operating 24-hours-a-day over the first week.

Council also supplemented the tidal exchange within the lake by using a pump to take clean ocean water at Huntley Street.  The pump has significantly improved salinity levels and water clarity in the lake.

Water quality within the lake has now improved to a point where, as of Tuesday 16 April, the supplementary aerators and ocean pump were able to be removed and the lake’s own tidal exchange and aeration systems were considered sufficient to maintain good water quality conditions.

Council will continue to monitor the lake over the Easter break to ensure it remains healthy and Council officers are ready to rapidly redeploy supplementary measures at short notice if required.

Any residents with concerns can contact Council on (07) 3205 0555.