Trout River, P.E.I. (Google Maps)

After last week's fish kill on the Trout River the P.E.I. Potato Board says changes to farm practices may be needed in the area to prevent fish kills.

Last week Trout River suffered its second fish kill in as many years. The provincial government is collecting fish, water and soil samples from the latest kill. They're also inspecting fields and conducting an aerial survey to try to pinpoint a possible source.

Greg Donald, the P.E.I. Potato Board's general manager, is calling on the province to work closely with farmers in sensitive areas that might need larger buffer zones between fields and waterways.

"The potato growers that I work for, they're very concerned. Like all Islanders, they don't want this sort of thing to happen," said Donald.

So far clean-up crews have picked up nearly 2,000 dead fish.

"We need to address it," said Donald.

All fields on P.E.I. must have a 15-metre buffer zone separating them from waterways. Donald suggested the province could work with farmers to suggest where larger zones might be necessary.

The Trout River was closed to fishing because of last year's fish kill. Environment officials said they'll have to close it again next year.