DEAD fish have been spotted floating on the surface of a pond in a Shoebury park, sparking an investigation by Southend Council.

Shocked anglers have claimed that between eight and ten dead carp were seen at one of the ponds in Friars Park yesterday.

The pond suffered a similar issue with dead fish being found in the pond in 2022, which were removed by the park’s wardens though no explanation was given as to a cause.

Recently, Southchurch Park East faced issues with mass fish deaths caused by three broken valves leading to the contamination of the lake with salt water from the estuary

Floating - One of the dead carp in the pond Floating - One of the dead carp in the pond (Image: Addison Davies)

Shoebury resident, Addison Davies, 21, was left upset by the state of the lake, which is near to where he lives.

He said: “A friend told me, he was fishing over here and spotted dead fish, around two of them and she got them out of the lake.

“Now it is about seven we have seen within the last few days as we have come over to the ponds.

“It is an unusual time, the ponds have been declining gradually and has hit the severe mark now, it is really noticeable, and it isn’t really looked after, despite being basically on a wildlife reserve.

“I was horrified, it is not nice, and the lake could be polluted.

Someone could be putting something in, we do not know.

“Around two years ago, it was on an incline and suddenly this summer went down again, it was regular, and water is now dark, murky and orange tinted.

“You could see some kind of oil slick layer on the water, something stagnant.”

Southend councillor responsible for environment and waste, Lydia Hyde, noted that there is currently not a known cause for the fish deaths and park wardens are investigating.

Ms Hyde: “We’re aware of dead fish in Friars Park pond, and the cause is currently unknown.

“Park wardens are investigating and will continue to monitor the pond, removing any dead fish.”

She added: “It is unlikely this would be the same thing with Southchurch Park though. We do tend to get fish diseases, and that particular species may have a disease, some fish are sensitive for certain algae.

“However, the issues at Southchurch Park were unique.”