Millions of fish killed this winter at Bruce Power nuclear plant

The Saugeen Ojibway Nation estimates as many as 4.5 million ‘gizzard shad’ were trapped and died in the plant this winter.

Millions of fish have been killed after getting trapped in Bruce Power’s water intake system.

The Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) estimates between 3.5 and 4.5 million ‘gizzard shad’ were trapped and died after being attracted to the warm water from the nuclear plant’s discharge channels.

In a statement, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation’s Environment Office said, “this event raises concerns about the artificial environment for aquatic life at the Bruce site.”

Bruce Power acknowledges that a ‘large number’ of fish have died after getting trapped in their intake system since mid-January. It was so concerning the company shut down one of their nuclear reactors for a week and half last month. Bruce Power said the fish have been removed and Unit 2 is back in service.

The company said they’re still trying to determine exactly what led to the fish die-off but say they’re not alone.

“Gizzard Shad have been reported along the shoreline as far north as the Sauble River and as far south as Goderich indicating this could be a population level event. Large numbers of Gizzard Shad have been observed in Lake Huron including around Bruce Power; this is likely due to their high rate of reproduction and warmer lake water temperatures in the last couple of years,” said a Bruce Power news release.

Gizzard Shad are naturally sensitive to cold water temperatures and can experience mass die-off in the wild.

Both Bruce Power and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation say they are working with federal authorities to try and get to the root of the fishkill - and prevent it from happening again.

Both Bruce Power and SON also report a number of dead birds just north of the nuclear plant in Baie-du-Dor. The company said the birds have been sent away for testing, “to check for conditions including botulism or avian flu.”

Bruce Power said the Ministry of Environment Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Ministry of Natural Resources are aware and are part of the investigation into what led to the dead fish and waterfowl.