Dead fish mystery investigated

Drone footage did not show a white film in the water itself. Northland Regional Council has received reports of a number of dead snapper in the Ōtamatea River and of a white film on the water. The fish deaths have been referred to the Ministry for Primary Industries and council compliance staff, who are looking into all major discharges into that catchment, including from Fonterra’s Maungaturoto dairy factory and two Kaipara District Council wastewater treatment plants. NRC’s compliance staff conducted a site visit on February 24 and observed a white film at the tide line. The material initial...