Fish in trouble

Provincial Fisheries science specialist , Michael Sullivan, Ph.D, presented slides of fish with severe lesions during his Cows, Creeks and Communities presentation at the Caroline complex on April 21. Alberta's water courses are now being severely affected by phosphates from agricultural fertilizing operations and by other industrial pollutants. The buildup of algae in water bodies as a result deprives fish of nutrients and oxygen which causes severe health problems and threaten the very survival of fish species.
Professor Sullivan said that the underlying cause of this problem is an economic one as farmers are forced to destroy wetlands to fight for economic survival on their farms. Financial incentives could be given to these farmers to preserve and enhance their wetlands for the benefit of all Albertans.