Gliwice Canal fish kill: Over 1.2 tons of dead fish recovered

Over 1.2 tons of dead fish have been recovered from the Gliwice Canal in Poland since Saturday, August 15. The mass die-off primarily affects species such as pike-perch, bream, carp, and crucian carp.

Authorities, including Wody Polskie, have identified the toxic golden algae (Prymnesium parvum) as the cause. To prevent the spread of the algae to the Dzierżno Duże reservoir, officials have halted water flow from the V and VI sections of the canal and implemented a ban on navigation in the V section to prevent wave-induced movement of the algae.

Additionally, the Silesian Voivode, Marek Wójcik, has prohibited the use of the VI section of the canal. This restriction includes bans on swimming, fishing, consuming fish, and drinking the water. Recent tests indicated algae concentrations in the Oder River reached approximately 550 million cells per liter, representing the third-highest level of bloom threat.