Carp infected with E. coli and caught from the wastewater reservoir Kokshetau — Lake Myrzakolsor is being sold at markets in Astana and Petropavlovsk. This was reported at a meeting of the ethics council during the presentation of the results of an analysis of external corruption risks.
According to the Telegram channel «HALYQSTAN», the lake's water showed exceedances of maximum permissible levels for dry residue, ammonia, and nitrates. Lactose-positive E. coli bacteria were found in the samples — 11,000 per cubic decimetre, compared to the standard of no more than 5,000.
Experts noted that the environmental situation in the reservoir has remained poor for the past several years.
Despite this, back in 2012, by a resolution of the Akmola Region akimat, Lake Myrzakolsor was leased to a private entrepreneur for a period of 10 years for fish farming.
In 2017, a court, following a lawsuit by the State Municipal Enterprise «Kokshetau Su Arnasy», ordered the entrepreneur to completely remove all fish from the wastewater reservoir and dispose of them. However, the court decision has still not been enforced.
Control over the legality of fishing is entrusted to fisheries inspection officers. However, reports of detained poachers and confiscated nets indicate that illegal fishing continues.
At present, Lake Myrzakolsor has been removed from the list of fishery water bodies, but fish still remain in it, as do those eager to catch them for subsequent sale.
For instance, some poachers gave bribes to employees of the Yesil Interregional Basin Fisheries Inspectorate for the opportunity to fish in the lake. Those found guilty were held accountable.