Georgina
July 04, 2008 12:48 PM
By: John Slykhuis, Staff Writer
Georgina has instituted an emergency seven-day-a-week pickup of dead carp that have been washing up on the town’s shorelines for the past two weeks.
The decision came after a meeting yesterday between senior staff and Mayor Rob Grossi, who consulted with council.
Dead carp, along with catfish, have sparked hundreds of calls from lake area homeowners complaining of the overpowering stench as the fish rot.
Mr. Grossi blasted the Natural Resources Ministry for not doing more to help with the cleanup, calling the provincial ministry “useless”.
It is the stated ministry position that cleanup of dead fish is the responsibility of local municipalities and property owners while they investigate the causes of the mass dieoff, the mayor said.
“The ministry pretty well told us we’re on our own.”
On the other hand, he said, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority has pledged to do whatever it can to help.
A similar situation occurred last summer in the Kawartha Lakes. This year, the dieoff started in Lake Simcoe and has now moved north to Lake Couchiching and beyond.
“The town will use whatever resources are necessary to get the job done,” Mr. Grossi said.
“I’m particularly concerned for the seniors living in the affected areas. How are they supposed to deal with this?”
Mr. Grossi said he pulled five large, smelly carp from his lakefront property last week.
“You can also put them in the green bin, double wrapped in plastic, up to 50 pounds,” he added.
“Although (the ministry) does not pick up dead fish, other than on its own lands, such as provincial parks, we do monitor die-off locations and are actively searching for and trying to capture live sick carp for testing. Dead fish cannot be tested properly to ensure accurate results,” ministry information officer Jane Sirois said.
Ministry staff have already successfully caught several sick carp — all of which are currently being tested by a lab.
Although not confirmed, the suspected cause of the mass dieoff are two viruses that almost exclusively target carp. There is no danger to humans, animals or most other fish species.
After yesterday's emergency meeting, town operations manager Bob Fortier said the daily pickup has begun immediately and will continue as long as necessary. Town properties and road ends will be dealt with by staff.
Just as a precaution, it is suggested residents wear rubber gloves, then, afterward, wash gloves and tools with bleach.
It is not yet known what the cost of the cleanup will be.
Residents are asked to double-bag dead carp and place curbside for pickup, then call the town at 905-476-4305, ext. 232, with their address.
“This is an awful problem and the smell is brutal,” Mr. Fortier said.