Deadly eel creek still a slippery problem

MICHELLE COOKE

At least 14 dead eels were discovered by school children last month, but the reason behind their deaths still remains a mystery.

Every day students from Meadowbank School walk across the Ngapuhi gully, which runs between Kelvin Rd and Ngapuhi Rd in Remuera.

Most children use the bridge, but some cross the creek by foot instead.

A group of children and a parent discovered at least 14 dead eels on February 24.

Scott Clark crossed the creek with his son and was shocked at the discovery.

When he returned home he called the Auckland City Council to report what he had seen.

Council parks services manager Mark Bowater says officers examined the creek the next morning and removed several dead eels.

The Auckland Regional Council was also informed, and did pollution tests.

The regional council's pollution response manager, Nigel Clarke, says the tests did not show anything abnormal, but says the eels could have died from oxygen deprivation because of low water levels.

Both councils returned to the creek two days after Mr Clark's discovery but did not see any more eels.

Mr Clark finds that strange, because when he went back to the creek with his son that afternoon, there were at least half a dozen.

"It was pretty difficult not to find one," he says.

He also says he saw some children pick the eels up and put them in plastic bags.

"I don't know what happened with them," he says.

Mr Clark is concerned that the eels' deaths remain a mystery.

He does not want his child or others exposed to toxic substances.

Mr Clarke, from the regional council, says the water might have been polluted, but tests have shown otherwise.

"People need to be aware that what they put down their drains will end up in the waterway," he says.

If the public thinks there is a pollution issue, Mr Clarke suggests they call the regional council's pollution hotline on 3773107.

Auckland City Council has a bylaw prohibiting people from fishing for waterlife, such as eels.

The council's 24-hour phone line is 3792020.

- © Fairfax NZ News