NSW Environmental Protection Agency NSW Government
 

Mannering Park, Lake Macquarie, fish kills

Information about fish kills at Mannering Park, Lake Macquarie, in August and September 2022 and our investigation.

Smart buoy tracking water quality

A smart buoy that uses advanced technology to help track water quality was deployed near Wyee Point following fish kills in August and September 2022. The data will contribute to the long-term understanding of water quality in the lake.

The custom-built buoy – which looks like a traditional navigation buoy – uses pumps to automatically sample water from different depths, passing through an array of water quality sensors, and then transmitting the data to the cloud for real-time analysis.

The buoy provides baseline data and assesses salinity, turbidity, oxygen, temperature and pH levels.

EPA investigation updates

The EPA has commenced proceedings against Delta Electricity in the Land and Environment Court, alleging that the licensee breached section 64 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) in relation to the September fish kill. 

Sampling map and results

Sampling map

Aerial view of Mannering Park, Lake Macquarie showing sampling sites

Fish autopsy results received 30/08/2022

PesticidesUnitsGI Tract – Fish 3Gills – Fish 3Liver – Fish 3Gills – Fish 1GI Tract – Eagle RayGills – Eagle RayLiver – Eagle Ray
Aldrinµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Allethrinµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Alpha-Chlordaneµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
alpha-HCHµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Ametrynµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Atratonµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Atrazineµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
beta-HCHµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Bifenthrinµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Bioresmethrinµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Carbophenothionµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Chlorpyrifosµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Cis-permethrinµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Crotoxyphosµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Cyfluthrinµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Cypermethrinµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
DDD-p,p'µg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
DDE-p,p'µg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
DDT-p,p'µg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
delta-HCHµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Deltamethrinµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Diazinonµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Dichlorvosµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Dieldrinµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<5071
Dimethoateµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Endosulfan IIµg/kg<100<380<350<570<100<100<100
Endosulfan Iµg/kg<100<380<350<570<100<100<100
Endosulfan Sulfateµg/kg<50<190<180<290<100<100<100
Endrin Ketoneµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Endrinµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Enthionµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Fenamiphosµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Fenitrothionµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Fenthionµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Fenvalerateµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Gamma-Chlordaneµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
gamma-HCHµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Heptachlor Epoxideµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Heptachlorµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Hexachlorobenzeneµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Hexazinoneµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
L-cyhalothrinµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Malathionµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Methidathionµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Methoxychlor,p,p'µg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Methyl Chlorpyrifosµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Methyl Parathionµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Mevinphosµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Oxyfluorfenµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Parathionµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Phorateµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Profenofosµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Prometonµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Prometrynµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Propargiteµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Propazineµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Propetamphosµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Simazineµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Simetrynµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Tebuconazoleµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Terbuthylazineµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Terbutrynµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Tetrachlorvinphosµg/kg<50<190<180<290<50<50<50
Trans-permethrinµg/kg<100<380<350<570<100<100<100
Metals* and Inorganics
Aluminiummg/kg723333510265<4
Antimonymg/kg<2<2<5<3<2<2<2
Arsenicmg/kg<3<3<7<5<3<311
Bariummg/kg<13<29<1<1<1
Berylliummg/kg<1<1<2<2<1<1<1
Boronmg/kg<10<10<23<15<10<10<10
Cadmiummg/kg<1<15<21<12
Calciummg/kg2302600015047000140020034
Chromiummg/kg<1<1<2<2<1<1<1
Cobaltmg/kg<1<1<2<2<1<1<1
Coppermg/kg10<3140<5<3<3<3
Ironmg/kg3301007407109257130
Leadmg/kg<24<5<3<2<2<2
Lithiummg/kg<1<1<2<2<1<1<1
Magnesiummg/kg320770260170030023059
Manganesemg/kg1118<5338<2<2
Mercuryµg/kgN/AN/AN/AN/A113115
Molybdenummg/kg<1<1<2<2<1<1<1
Nickelmg/kg<2<2<5<3<2<2<2
Phosphorusmg/kg280014000360023000200018001000
Potassiummg/kg310016003700510140021001100
Seleniummg/kg<4<414<6<4<4<4
Siliconmg/kg7528<1431025<6<6
Silvermg/kg<0.6<0.6<1.4<0.9<0.6<0.6<0.6
Sodiummg/kg150039001700520031003800660
Strontiummg/kg<3180<73107<3<3
Sulfurmg/kg2800170035001700230020001000
Thalliummg/kg<2<2<5<3<2<2<2
Tinmg/kg<2<2<5<3<2<2<2
Titaniummg/kg<1<1<211<1<1<1
Vanadiummg/kg<1132<1<1<1
Zincmg/kg3631835016129
         
*For guidance on safe metal limits for human consumption in fish including mercury see NSW Department of Primary Industries advice

Pesticides results received 22/08/2022

PesticidesUnitsANZECC marine WQG 
(95% species protection)		Kevin 
St		Vales 
Pt		Wyee
Marina		Vales Pt
Discharge
Point 22
Aldrinµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.3<0.3<0.3<0.3
Allethrinµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Alpha-Chlordaneµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
alpha-HCHµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
Ametrynµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Atratonµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Atrazineµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
beta-HCHµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Bifenthrinµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Bioresmethrinµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.3<0.3<0.3<0.3
Carbophenothionµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Chlorpyrifosµg/L0.009<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
Cis-permethrinµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.3<0.3<0.3<0.3
Crotoxyphosµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Cyfluthrinµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Cypermethrinµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
DDD-p,p'µg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
DDE-p,p'µg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
DDT-p,p'µg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
delta-HCHµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Deltamethrinµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Diazinonµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Dichlorvosµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
Dieldrinµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Dimethoateµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Endosulfan IIµg/LNo guideline
value		<1.0<1.0<1.0<1.0
Endosulfan Iµg/L0.01<0.9<0.9<0.9<0.9
Endosulfan Sulfateµg/LNo guideline
value		<1.0<1.0<1.0<1.0
Endrin Aldehydeµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Endrin Ketoneµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Endrinµg/L0.008<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Ethionµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Fenamiphosµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Fenitrothionµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Fenthionµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
Fenvalerateµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Gamma-Chlordaneµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
gamma-HCHµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
Heptachlor Epoxideµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Heptachlorµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
Hexachlorobenzeneµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.3<0.3<0.3<0.3
Hexazinoneµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
L-cyhalothrinµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Malathionµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Methidathionµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Methoxychlor,p,p'µg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Methyl Azinphosµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
Methyl Chlorpyrifosµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
Methyl Parathionµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Mevinphosµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
Oxyfluorfenµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Parathionµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Phorateµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
Profenofosµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Prometonµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Prometrynµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Propargiteµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Propazineµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Propetamphosµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Simazineµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Simetrynµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Sulprofosµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.4<0.4<0.4<0.4
Tebuconazoleµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Tebuthiuronµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Terbuthylazineµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Terbutrynµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Tetrachlorvinphosµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.5<0.5<0.5<0.5
Trans-permethrinµg/LNo guideline
value		<0.7<0.7<0.7<0.7

 

Ecotoxicology results received 22/08/2022

Bacterial luminescence
inhibition (V.fisheri)		Light emitted at 
15-min		Light emitted
at 30-min		Result
Kevin St>80%>80%Not toxic
Vales Pt>80%>80%Not toxic
Wyee Marine>80%>80%Not toxic
Vales Pt Discharge Point 22>80%>80%Not toxic

* Fish results to come

 

Nutrients testing results received 19/08/2022

OrganicsUnits2018 ANZECC marine WQG (95% species protection)Kevin StVales PtWyee MarinaVales Pt Discharge Point 22
Total Nitrogen as Nmg/L0.30.60.60.70.6
Ammonia as Nmg/L–0.110.070.060.07
Nitrite + Nitrate as Nmg/L–0.020.01<0.010.01
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen as Nmg/L–0.60.60.70.6
Reactive Phosphorus as Pmg/L–
 		<0.01
 		<0.01
 		<0.01
 		<0.01
Total Phosphorus as Pmg/L0.030.060.080.050.08
Biochemical Oxygen Demandmg/L–2424

 

Direct toxicity test results received 19/08/2022

72-h amphipod Mellita immobilisation testImmobilisation at 72 hours (%)Result
Kevin St0Not toxic
Vales Pt0Not toxic
Wyee Marina0Not toxic
Vales Pt Discharge Point 220Not toxic

*Pesticides and fish results to come.

pH and conductivity data

Sample Location Kevin StVales PtVales Pt Discharge Point 22Wyee Marina
pHpH unit8.18.188.1
ConductivityµS/cm44000430004400043000

 

Water sample metals data

Dissolved metals 2018 ANZECC marine WQG (95% species protection)Kevin StVales PtVales Pt Discharge Point 22Wyee Marina
Aluminiummg/LNo guideline value<0.04<0.04<0.04<0.04
Boronmg/LNo guideline value3.63.73.73.7
Calciummg/LNo guideline value300300300300
Chromiummg/L0.027 <0.001<0.001<0.001 <0.001 
Ironmg/LNo guideline value<0.1<0.1<0.1<0.1
Lithiummg/LNo guideline value0.190.150.160.15
Magnesiummg/LNo guideline value1000100010001000
Potassiummg/LNo guideline value320330320320
Sodiummg/LNo guideline value8100820080008000
Strontiummg/LNo guideline value6.16.26.26.1
Sulfurmg/LNo guideline value680680660660
Titaniummg/LNo guideline value<0.01<0.01<0.01<0.01
Antimonymg/LNo guideline value<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001
Arsenicmg/LNo guideline value<0.003<0.003<0.003<0.003
Bariummg/LNo guideline value0.00970.00950.00940.01
Berylliummg/LNo guideline value<0.0002<0.0002<0.0002<0.0002
Cadmiummg/L0.0055<0.0003<0.0003<0.0003<0.0003
Cobaltmg/L0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001
Coppermg/L0.0013<0.002<0.002<0.002<0.002
Leadmg/L0.0044<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001
Manganesemg/LNo guideline value<0.003<0.003<0.003<0.003
Molybdenummg/LNo guideline value0.0110.0110.0110.011
Nickelmg/L0.07<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001
Seleniummg/LNo guideline value<0.005<0.005<0.005<0.005
Silvermg/L0.0014<0.0001<0.0001<0.0001<0.0001
Thalliummg/LNo guideline value<0.0005<0.0005<0.0005<0.0005
Tinmg/LNo guideline value<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001
Vanadiummg/L0.10.00250.00250.00220.0021
Zincmg/L0.008<0.005<0.005<0.005<0.005

 

 

Photo of the smart buoy deployed in Lake Macquarie.
The smart buoy near Wyee Point automatically tracks water quality.