The Grand Est region files a complaint for pollution – Liberation
An unexplained massacre. The Grand Est region announced Thursday to pollution of the Ill (Haut-Rhin) river, which it owns and manager, after the discovery of « Thousands » dead fish. « Sunday, June 1, 2025 at dawn, fishermen noticed a strong mortality of fish » The day after significant thunderstorms, the region said in a statement. « The agents of the region intervened on the spot made the same observation: thousands of dead fish, all sizes and all species (bream, barbs, chevens, carples, pike, catfish, gobies …), over 10 km of watercourses, from Colmar to Illhaeuser ».
The region specifies that the origin of pollution « It remains to be determined ». The first samples revealed « No anomaly on quality current parameters » And « Additional analyzes on the micros-pollutants are underway ». An investigation was opened by the Colmar prosecutor and the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) is currently conducting investigations.
The Grand Est region announces that it « Decided to file a complaint for pollution of the Ill having led to a massive destruction of the fish population and a significant impact on the natural environment » and specifies that « Other partners and structures have expressed the wish to associate with this approach ».
In collaboration with the Haut-Rhin fishing federation, fishing associations and canoe clubs in the sector, an operation to collect dead fish has been carried out, which made it possible to remove more than 1.5 tonnes of fish. « But the impact on the environment remains important and it will probably take years to recover the wealth of fish from this river section »warned the region which « Wishes all the light to be shed on this event of an exceptional magnitude ».
