| 'Chemical cocktail' caused fish mutations: report | |
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Source: The Sunshine Coast Daily |
3/15/2010 |
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AN inquiry into the discovery of two-headed fish at a Noosa River hatchery has found proof the deformities were caused by agricultural chemicals, according to media reports.
Inquiry taskforce member Dr Matt Landos has been reported as saying the report, due to be released soon, would show the mutations found at Sunland Fish Hatchery were the result of a toxic cocktail including carbendazim, nonylphenol, beta-cyfluthrin, methidathion, trichlorfon, methoxyfenozide, atrazine and endosulfan.
All are approved individually for use in Australia. |
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A University of Sydney honorary lecturer and research assistant, Dr Landos was invited on to the inquiry taskforce by Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin to “send a clear message we want to get to the bottom of this matter and all possible causes will be considered”.
Dr Landos has now been reported as saying he decided to speak out before the release of the report because he feared the material would be toned down or withheld from the final document.
Fish were found with two heads, no eyes or short tails and Dr Landos was quoted as saying the taskforce evaluated other possible reasons for the mutations, including heat shock and oxygen stress, but they were considered unlikely.
When the fish were protected from spray this season and spawned off-site in uncontaminated water, normal batches were produced, he said. |
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