Dozens of dead fish washed up on the shores of Blakeburn lagoons last week.
But nobody knows how they got into the Port Coquitlam ponds.
Tri-City News reader Kim Mitchell sent us her snaps of the freshwater fish, which are believed to be pumpkinseeds (also known as pond perch), that she captured on the west side — close to Blakeburn elementary.
City spokesperson Pardeep Purewal said the municipality received a number of alerts about the dead fish last week and brought in a consultant to investigate and conduct water testing.
The work continues.
“The city did not stock these ponds with any fish,” Purewal said, adding, “Our initial speculation is that the fish entered through the main outlet pipe or the Metro Vancouver infrastructure during this year’s freshet.”
A resident may also have dumped the sunfish into the lagoons, which officially opened to the public this spring.
• Anyone with information about the dead fish — or has questions and concerns — is asked to call 604-927-5496 or email parks@portcoquitlam.ca.
jcleugh@tricitynews.com
