Ecologists, climate scientists and other experts to look at events that led to death of 1 million fish

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

The Australian Academy of Science will assemble a group of freshwater ecologists, climate scientists, biodiversity, water management and Indigenous water resource experts to give independent scientific advice to uncover what events may have led to a mass fish kill on the Darling River.

The move comes after Labor leader Bill Shorten asked some of Australia’s leading scientists to examine the causes of the ecological disaster – which led to the death of up to 1 million fish – with a report to be produced in time for the first sitting week of parliament.

In a letter to the academy Shorten said: “Australians, who are rightly troubled by what they have seen, deserve a speedy yet thorough examination of why this has taken place, based on the best possible science.

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“As leader of the opposition, my immediate priority is to uncover what has taken place, and ensure we have the scientific evidence before the Parliament to inform decisions for a healthy river system.”

The three week investigation will examine four key points: how the fish kills took place and what caused the magnitude of the event, whether water diversions and management practices exacerbated or caused the disaster, whether chemicals and fertiliser were a contributing factor, and what immediate steps can be taken to improve the river system’s health and management.

The expert group will also provide advice on whether climate change has led to a steep change in inflows into the river system.

The academy will conduct its investigation using existing peer-reviewed research and data, but has not ruled out travelling to Menindee or other affected areas.

“Science is critical to support decision making in creating and maintaining a healthy river system in Australia,” the academy’s president, John Shine, said on Monday.

“The Australian Academy of Science will commence work immediately by consulting with the other learned academies to convene a group of multidisciplinary experts to provide independent scientific advice on this matter.”

The academy will produce its report, which Labor has promised to make public, by 10 February, the day before the first sitting week of parliament for 2019 begins.

It comes as more fish continue to die in the Menindee area, with locals concerned there could be another fish kill if there is a sudden drop in water temperature.

Shorten’s letter said “the Murray-Darling is a critically important river system in Australia, sustaining life for countless native plant and animal species, as well as supporting our important agricultural industries.

“If we are to be responsible custodians of our country, we must restore the rivers to health, and we cannot do this without drawing on scientific experts.”