Dead fish and eels sees Gosport council decide to open sluice gates monthly

HUNDREDS of dead fish and eels were found in a section of water.
The ramparts in Gosport which is now full of water after the sluice gates were opened when the dead fish were discoveredThe ramparts in Gosport which is now full of water after the sluice gates were opened when the dead fish were discovered
The ramparts in Gosport which is now full of water after the sluice gates were opened when the dead fish were discovered

People living near Ramparts Row, in Gosport, complained to the council when the dead fish were discovered this month.

After picking up the animals’ remains, officers from Gosport Borough Council decided to open the sluice gates leading to the lake.

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It is hoped opening the gates once a month will prevent the remaining eels and fish from dying as they will get the fresh water they need to survive.

But environmentalist Frederick Weeks, from Gosport, said the council needs to make sure the gates are opened monthly.

‘I am not convinced the council will do what it said it would,’ he said.

‘This is not the first time the lake has been full of hundreds of dead fish and eels.

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‘It happened a couple of years ago and the council has not learnt from its mistakes as it let it happen again.

‘I am not sure in a couple of months’ time that the gates will be opened once a month.

‘It is not fair to have all these fish dying because of the negligence of the council.

‘Before the council opened the gates, there was hardly any water there.

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‘I have no idea why it didn’t just open the gates and stop the lake getting into the condition it did.’

But fellow Gosport resident Margaret Brown said the council acting now is better than never.

‘Even though it was sad to see all the dead fish, the council has reacted,’ said the 69-year-old.

‘I think enough people realised what was happening and complained so that the council will keep opening the sluice gates.’

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Councillor Graham Burgess, who is chairman of the community board and deputy leader at the council, said he was happy a swift decision had been made.

‘We are really pleased everything is okay now,’ he said.

‘People were not very happy with the state of the lake and all the dead animals and after receiving complaints, we have reacted.

‘The decision has been made to open the sluice gates once a month.

‘I am pleased the situation has been resolved.’

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