Before going to print the NEWS was informed that the fish in the dam at Willow Park were to be relocated.
This information came on Friday after the dam was visited by the NEWS on May 17 when the dead and dying fish at the Dowerglen park caused concern.
The dam is home to an estimated 700 fish.
Councillor Heather Hart (ward 18) said community members and various departments from local and national government assisted on Friday.
Hart estimated that over 90 dead fish were removed from the dam.
Some of the dead fish were believed to have been between 30 and 40 years old.
On May 18, Ekurhuleni’s Water and Sanitation Department took 21 000 litres of tap water to try and aerate the dam.
ECO-tabs, oxygenating tablets, were also added to the dam to try help with the oxygenation.
On Friday morning, the rescue operation continued.
Hart said local anglers on a rubber-duck boat assisted the Gauteng Fisheries Department in collecting fish from the dam.
The fish were transferred to holding tanks at the park. The tanks had been filled with clean water from the Hurlyvale Spruit.
The additional water was brought in by Ekurhuleni’s parks department.
Once the fish were removed from the dam they were relocated to a dam in Primrose and a Department of Fisheries dam near Hartbeespoort.
The fish will not return to Willow Park.
“There are not enough resources to treat the dam any further,” said Hart.
She said removing fish from the dam would also remove the “competition” for oxygen.
“A business owner in the Sebenza area has donated a large pump to ensure the dam remains aerated, so that the remaining fish will survive,” said Hart.
She thanked all involved in the rescue operation.
“Everyone involved has been wonderful,” said Hart.
Hart urged residents to report anything they feel is amiss at their local parks to their local ward councillors immediately.
A speedy response could lessen the impact on the environment.
“Residents must speak up and stand up,” said Hart.
She said the fish were fortunate in this incident as some could still be saved.
