200 Kg of Dead Fish Pulled from Oder River; Low Oxygen, Not 'Golden Alga,' Blamed

Polish authorities have confirmed that the recent fish kill observed in the Oder River near Szczecin was caused by low oxygen levels, a phenomenon known as anoxia, and not by the "golden alga" responsible for the 2022 ecological disaster. Between May 30 and June 5, approximately 200 kilograms of dead fish and mollusks were collected from the river's western and eastern branches, as well as adjacent canals in the Szczecin area.

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The cause of the fish kill, observed in the Oder River around Szczecin at the turn of May and June, was not the so-called golden alga, but low oxygen levels, so-called anoxia.

Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment Urszula Zielińska addressed the issue in parliament, explaining that the fish deaths were a localized, seasonal episode of oxygen depletion. She assured that the situation was not widespread and that water monitoring has been conducted daily by the State Water Holding company since May 30. Zielińska emphasized that studies by Wody Polskie and the Provincial Inspectorate for Environmental Protection ruled out the "golden alga" and found no water quality degradation due to sewage discharges.

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We are dealing with a local, seasonal episode of oxygen deficiency. Wody Polskie has been conducting daily patrol trips with oxygen content measurements since May 30. The state has reacted.

The minister detailed that the most severe conditions were recorded in parts of Szczecin, where oxygen levels dropped to as low as 1 milligram per liter. However, she noted that since June 7, no new instances of fish deaths have been reported, and water parameters are improving. The government has also implemented measures to address such issues, including a program to purchase aerators for water oxygenation and a plan for desalinating the Oder River's waters.

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The cause was confirmed by studies. It was the so-called anoxia, typical for the spring-summer season. Additionally, a backwater phenomenon occurred. The most important thing is that the studies did not show the so-called golden alga. Nor was there a deterioration of water parameters due to sewage discharges.

Additionally, the government has allocated 450 million Polish zloty for renaturation efforts aimed at supporting the river's self-purification mechanisms, with applications for funding now open. While authorities have presented these actions as a response, a PiS party representative raised concerns about lingering dead fish in certain canals, suggesting potential epidemiological risks.

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Since June 7, no new cases of fish deaths have been recorded in the Oder River, and water parameters in the river are improving.