A significant number of fish have been found dead in the canyon area near Skutz Falls along the Cowichan River, and authorities from multiple agencies, as well as members of the community, are trying to figure out why.

91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 a mysterious thing going on in that the fish in the main stem of the river near Horseshoe Bend are showing [up] dead so there91裸聊视频檚 a big process right now trying to solve that,91裸聊视频� Brian Houle, environmental manager of Paper Excellence91裸聊视频檚 Crofton mill said on July 13.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is aware, as is Cowichan Tribes, Houle said, and everyone is working to figure out why the fish are dying.

A spokesperson for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, said Conservation and Protection was notified of the fish kill on July 10 though the ORR (observe, record, report) line.

91裸聊视频淭he Department would like to thank the members of the public who alerted us to this event,91裸聊视频� said Leri Davies. 91裸聊视频淔ishery officers are currently looking into the incident. At this time, DFO cannot comment further.91裸聊视频�

A press release issued Friday from Cowichan Tribes noted that 91裸聊视频渢he loss of any number of fish is very concerning. Lower river flows and higher water temperatures can increase the stress on fish, making it more difficult for them to withstand other pressures.91裸聊视频�

All of the agencies are working together to determine the cause.

Houle said that on Friday, June 30 officials with the mill, (and regulators of the weir), dropped the water levels flowing from Cowichan Lake into the river to 4.5 cubic metres per second, to conserve water through the summer. It91裸聊视频檚 become an annual practice.

Changing the flow of the river has many impacts and variables and as a result Catalyst runs the weir under regulatory guidance.

91裸聊视频淲e apply for authority to deviate from ideal conditions,91裸聊视频� Houle explained of the process. When the flow is lowered, biologists are required to go out onto the river and and ensure any environmental issues related to the drop in flow are mitigated.

The extra oversight is critical but the eyes that found the dead fish weren91裸聊视频檛 of professionals, but a father and daughter swimming in the deep pool. The young girl saw something shiny on the riverbed and dove down with a mask only to find it was hundreds of dead fry.

Houle said things went swimmingly for the first 10 days or so following the flow change, and tens of thousands of fish were moved to the river91裸聊视频檚 main stem.

91裸聊视频淭he [biologists91裸聊视频橾 focus is to get the fish to the main stem because that91裸聊视频檚 where they91裸聊视频檙e safe,91裸聊视频� Houle explained. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e had our qualified professionals in the river ensuring just that.91裸聊视频�

For the last several years, when the flow is lowered, community members and volunteers often help the biologists transfer the fish who become stranded in pools or find themselves in disconnected side channels and relocate them to the main stem.

Long-time riverside resident and Cowichan river steward Joe Saysell is one of those who keeps a keen eye on the river, its flow, and the fish.

He91裸聊视频檚 not so sure why the fish died.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e mulling it all over right now, about what91裸聊视频檚 the problem,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 finding it so frustrating. You go to all this work moving fry early to try and save the poor things and then this happens to them. It91裸聊视频檚 really frustrating.91裸聊视频�

Saysell said the most dead fish have been found above Horseshoe Bend, right below the falls in what they call the deep pool near the bridge over the river by Mayo Lake Road.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e been discussing it with DFO and Conservation and we thought it was an oxygen level in that pool at the bottom that wasn91裸聊视频檛 very good but when the pool was measured, the oxygen level was actually OK,91裸聊视频� he said, adding that the temperature of the river was also quite good.

91裸聊视频淲e don91裸聊视频檛 know what it is,91裸聊视频� Saysell continued. 91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檝e sent the samples away to the lab but we don91裸聊视频檛 know how long until they91裸聊视频檒l come back. These fish seem to be coming into that pool over the falls. It91裸聊视频檚 got to be something right in that area, in my mind.91裸聊视频�

On top of that, it isn91裸聊视频檛 young fish that are dying either. And not just one type.

Saysell said the fish he collected were nearly all coho salmon while another fellow collected nearly all rainbow trout and what91裸聊视频檚 more, the real puzzle is that they91裸聊视频檙e not this year91裸聊视频檚 fish. They91裸聊视频檙e about two years old, he said.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 just a heartbreak to see this happen,91裸聊视频� Saysell said. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 praying that nobody has put something toxic in the river. That91裸聊视频檚 my big fear.91裸聊视频�

While they carry on trying to solve the mystery, Saysell said he and researchers will likely have to go from pool to pool from his house south of Lake Cowichan, all the way down to Skutz Falls and test the water in every pool along the way.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e really, really concerned,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 just pray that somebody hasn91裸聊视频檛 done some something super, super stupid.91裸聊视频�

As part of DFO91裸聊视频檚 work to end illegal activity, the Department asks the public for information on activities of this nature or any contravention of the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call the toll-free violation reporting line at 1-800-465-4336, or email the details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.