The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has concluded its monitoring of two localised fish kills near Denmark and Carnarvon that were reported on 28/12/22.
Monitoring indicates these fish kills were likely caused by adverse environmental conditions.
DPIRD believes the silver bream at Prawn Rock Channel near Denmark may have become stressed and died due to low dissolved oxygen levels. This may have been caused by low water levels, high water temperatures and the inlet mouth being largely closed.
The giant sea catfish at Town Beach near Carnarvon were reported schooling in the area and are thought to spawn there. As no other fish or other marine life have been found dead, it is probable that these deaths are also the result of adverse environmental conditions.
As the fish kills have now passed, the previously provided Department of Health advice no longer applies.
More fish kill information can be found on DPIRD’s website.
The best way the public can help is by reporting fish kills to the FishWatch 24/7 reporting service on 1800 815 507.
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.
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.
FISH KILL alert - 28 December 2022
A fish kill has been reported at Town Beach, near the mouth of the Gascoyne River, Carnarvon involving 100-200 giant sea catfish, and another reported at Prawn Rock Channel, near Denmark, involving up to 40 silver bream.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) officers are gathering information and assessing the extent of the fish kills. They will also collect suitable samples for laboratory testing if necessary.
Updates will be issued when further information is available. In the meantime, people are reminded to stay safe around fish kills. We urge people to follow the 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 safety methods and equipment. The best way the public can help is by reporting fish kills to the
FishWatch 24/7 reporting service on
1800 815 507. 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.
Around 40 dead silver bream were found near Denmark
One of more than 100 dead giant sea catfish found near Carnarvon
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 kill information can be found on DPIRD’s website.