UPDATE 1 August 2025
DPIRD investigations indicate that the fish kill may be a result of bycatch from a commercial fishing vessel operating in the area.
The growing high tides this week appear to have flushed the dead fish away and the event appears to be at an end. Any remaining dead puffer fish may still present a poisoning risk to dogs - so pets should be kept away from the affected areas.
DPIRD continues to monitor the situation. The best way the public can help is to immediately contact the FishWatch 24/7 reporting service on 1800 815 507 with reports of any dead fish or other animals.
Issued 29 July 2025, 3.35pm
When you make a fish kill report, tell us where and what you saw, including numbers of dead fish and, if possible, the species affected. And, if you have GPS coordinates and/or photographs, that will also assist DPIRD’s investigation.
Investigations have begun into a fish kill involving an unknown number of fish at Carnarvon, between One Mile Jetty and Pelican Point.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) officers have gathered information and identified whiting, trumpeter, dollar fish and puffer fish.
While the dead fish are likely to be bycatch, the dead puffer fish may present a poisoning risk to dogs so pets should be kept away from the areas.
Updates will be issued if further information becomes available.
In the meantime, people are reminded to stay safe around fish kills and follow this general Department of Health advice.
- not to swim in areas of water with large numbers of dead and decomposing fish because they may contain high levels of bacteria and have an objectionable odour;
- not to fish in water with large numbers of dead fish;
- temporarily not to collect or consume fish from the waters near a fish kill;
- not to collect and use dead fish for bait or consumption because of the risk of high levels of bacteria; and
- not to allow pets and other animals to come into contact with dead or decomposing fish either in the water or on shore.
Our officers have been trained to collect fish and water samples using appropriate safe methods and equipment. The best way the public can help is by immediately reporting fish kills to the FishWatch 24/7 reporting service on 1800 815 507. That way, first responders have a higher chance of collecting fresh samples suitable for testing to help work out the cause of the fish kill. Tell us where and what you saw, including GPS coordinates, numbers of dead fish and, if possible, the species affected. And, if you have photographs, please retain them ready for a call-back.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
DPIRD is responsible for responding to fish kill events that occur in ocean environments. DWER manages investigations on fish kills that occur in estuaries, rivers and naturally occurring inland water bodies. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions manages investigations of fish kills that occur in the Swan Canning Riverpark. In all circumstances, DPIRD’s laboratories carry out testing of any suitable fish samples and this can take some time.
Fish kills in open ocean areas may provide less evidence of a direct cause and we explore all possible explanations. It may not be possible to identify a single definitive cause, but every effort is made to establish probable factors. More fish kills information can be found on DPIRD’s website.
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