Fish rescued after hundreds found dead in canal

Hundreds of dead fish were found on top of the water at Skinner's Lock

Hundreds of fish have died in a canal after oxygen levels in the water dropped suddenly, experts say.

The Canal and River Trust attended Skinner's Lock, near Cotgrave in Nottinghamshire, to rescue surviving fish on Monday.

Nick Baggaley, angling and fisheries manager for the Canal and River Trust, said he thought about 200 fish had died due to low oxygen levels in the water.

He explained that the section of Grantham Canal they were found in was disused and the water flow "from the adjacent rivers and streams is minimal, especially at this time of year".

Nick Baggaley said fish were seen "gasping for air"

Mr Baggaley tested the oxygen levels in the water and said they were at 1% when they would normally be about 30% to 40%.

He said fish were seen "gasping for air" when staff were called to the stretch of the canal.

Mr Baggaley said there was little that could be done to prevent something similar from happening again.

"It would cost millions to get water flowing back into this section of the canal," he added.

"It's been a dry period, I don't think much can be done."

The Environment Agency said the fish deaths were caused by low oxygen, and it would continue re-oxygenating until the monitored levels were normal.

Roach, rudd, perch and a few pike were among those that died