Intense growth of golden algae in Mittel-Oder

Once more, fish have perished in the Oder River. - Intense growth of golden algae in Mittel-Oder

Lately, a risky form of golden algae has been appearing in the Oder's middle section, causing concern for fish safety, as per Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Environment Minister. In spite of this, it seems there haven't been any negative impacts on the Stettin Haff's estuary area as indicated by SPD politician Till Backhaus in Schwerin last Friday. Water tests taken thrice a month at different positions in the Little Haff have shown no traces of golden alga so far. "We didn't notice any dangerous conditions previously, so presently, we don't see an immediate threat either," Backhaus clarified.

The state's responsible environmental agency is monitoring the circumstances closely and is collaborating with the German-Polish expert group, which was established after the extensive fish die-off in 2020 and is now being reactivated. "Compared to 2022, our interactions with Polish authorities have considerably improved," the minister added.

Recently, large numbers of deceased fish, including long Zander and Pike as long as 60 centimeters, were discovered in Frankfurt/Oder at the start of this week. It's possible that dangerous levels of the poisonous golden alga could be responsible for this incident, as suggested by the Environment Ministry. The key factors behind the significant fish loss in the Oder in August 2022 included high salt levels, decreased water levels, elevated temperatures, and the alga's harmful toxin.

Since June 8th, the high warning level III for toxins has been implemented for the German section of the German-Polish border river. The Polish warning level I indicates the presence of golden alga contamination in the Oder up to the Stettin Haff, although no reports of fish fatalities have been received there. "Unlike 2022, we've gained a better comprehension of what's going on now," stated Backhaus. The situation is fundamentally distinct, and the authorities are closely tracking developments and are well-prepared.

Read also:

1. The Environment Ministry in Brandenburg is urging residents to avoid spreading fish caught from the Oder River due to the ongoing golden alga issue.
2. Fish mortality has been a concern for animal welfare groups in both Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with the golden alga affecting various species.
3. The German Government has allocated additional funding to research the impact of golden alga on fish populations in the Oder and its tributaries.
4. Till Backhaus, the SPD politician in Frankfurt (Oder), has called for immediate action from regional authorities to prevent further fish deaths and protect the local environment.
5. The Golden Alga Task Force, a collaborative effort between environmental agencies in Germany and Poland, is working to develop long-term solutions to manage the spread of golden alga in the Oder River.
6. Scientists are studying the effect of the golden alga on the food chain and the overall health of the ecosystem, with concerns about the impact on other animal species in the river.
7. The Environment Ministry in Schwerin has suggested that strict regulations on fertilizer usage and waste disposal could help reduce the nutrient levels in the Oder River, thereby limiting the growth of golden alga.

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