What caused over 100 fish to die at Reedy Swamp?

By Nicola Ceccato

Jan 23, 2025

Many carp were found dead at Reedy Swamp. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The strange sight of dead fish floating in Shepparton’s Reedy Swamp has left residents confused.

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Earlier this week, The News was informed that there were more than 100 dead carp in the swamp.

The News reached out to Parks Victoria, which manages the wetland, and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, which helps monitor the swamp, to further investigate the issue.

Parks Victoria was alerted of the fish deaths on Monday, January 20 by GBCMA.

The News was told by both parties that the carp deaths were due to the natural drying of the wetland.

According to the Victorian Government, wetlands experience wetting and drying cycles throughout the year.

During dry seasons, the wetland area dries out and is then refilled during wet periods.

When wetlands go through this drying period, carp become concentrated and stranded, which often results in death.

The carp lay washed up on the ground as the wetland goes through its drying cycle. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Parks Victoria district manager Charlie Bisset said this process was normal, and further drying was expected.

“The water in the wetland has contracted relatively quickly in recent weeks, and with continuing hot and dry weather, is expected to dry out in the coming days,” Ms Bisset said.

“This drying is part of the natural life cycle of the wetland and provides a number of positive ecological outcomes for the surrounding ecosystem.”

A GBCMA spokesperson went on to further explain these positive ecological outcomes for the wetland.

“This drying process plays an important role in recycling nutrients, promoting plant growth and increasing habitat for fauna such as wading birds that like shallow water,” the spokesperson said.

Shepparton resident Suzey Barker photographed some of the pools of dead fish on Saturday, January 18. Photo by Suzey Barker

*News* photographer Rechelle Zammit captured the same spot only days later, showing a drastic reduction in the water. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Being that carp is an invasive species and has a high tolerance to a variety of environmental conditions, the GBCMA spokesperson said these drying cycles were a prime opportunity for the culling of the carp population in these wetland areas.

“European carp are an introduced pest species that negatively impact wetland plant growth and water quality, so their death is also a positive outcome for the health of the wetland,” the spokesperson said.

Parks Victoria has assured the public that there is not risk to public safety and it will continue to monitor the area and notify the community of any changes.