
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) officers have gathered samples for testing and assessed the extent of the fish kill which covers approximately 9 km of shoreline.
It involves a range of decomposed fish including dory, rock cod, puffer fish, emperor, wrasse, bass, catfish, whiting, triggerfish and damselfish. Dead fish seen at the Yanyare River mouth last week were also reported today.
People visiting beaches in the area 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.
DPIRD 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. This ensures officers have a higher chance of collecting fresh samples suitable for testing to help determine the cause of the fish kill.
Reports should include the location of the dead fish including GPS coordinates, numbers of dead fish and if possible, the species affected. Any photographs should be retained if required for further investigation.
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.