Further update for Port Geographe Marina, algal toxins alert - 25 November 2022
Investigations are continuing into the cause of a fish kill at Port Geographe Marina.
Daily inspections have occurred since the kill was reported on Saturday 12 November and continue to indicate that the fish kill has passed, with numerous live fish back in the area.
DPIRD has removed its caution signs at the site of the fish kill after water sample results indicated low levels of bacteria.
However, the Department of Health recommends wild shellfish like mussels, oysters, clams, pipis, scallops and cockles should not be collected for eating from enclosed waters and that it is best to only eat shellfish that has been harvested commercially under strict monitoring programs. See:
Wild shellfish collection (healthywa.wa.gov.au)
In addition, the Department of Transport advises the consumption of seafood caught in the marina is not recommended and that there are areas within the marina where recreational swimming is not permitted. The Department of Transports swimming advice is located on the following website See:
Port Geographe reconfiguration (transport.wa.gov.au) and look under 'Current and future management'.
Further updates will be provided over the next few days.
Update to Fish Kill alert for Port Geographe Marina - 18 November 2022
Investigations are continuing into the cause of a fish kill at Port Geographe Marina.
While daily inspections indicate that the fish kill has passed, with numerous live fish back in the area, water sample analyses have since indicated the presence of an alga that may produce toxins which bio-accumulate in shellfish like mussels, oysters, clams, pipis, scallops and cockles.
The Department of Health advise that people should not eat shellfish from this marina, as there is a risk they may have concentrations of toxins sufficient to cause amnesic shellfish poisoning, which can generate gastroenteritis-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. In severe cases neurological symptoms, including headaches, confusion and short-term memory loss, may be experienced.
If you have eaten shellfish from the marina and have developed any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.
Although the marina already has many signs saying no fishing or swimming, DPIRD has re-instated its caution signs at the site of the fish kill to reinforce the message not to swim, fish, crab or take shellfish for consumption.
Further samples are being collected and further updates will be provided when more results are available over the next few days.
Update to Fish Kill alert for Port Geographe Marina - 16 November 2022
Investigations are continuing into the cause of a fish kill at Port Geographe Marina.
Daily inspections, since the kill was reported on Saturday 12 November, indicate that the number of dead fish has decreased to zero, and live fish are back in the area.
The event seems to have passed and the caution signs have removed.
Surveys of the marina indicated that the fish kill was very localised in one small canal.
Water, sediment, and fish samples from the canal arrived in Perth yesterday and are now being analysed. Further updates will be provided when results are available over the next few days.
Fish kills should be reported 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.
More information about
fish kills can be found on the DPIRD website
Investigations have begun into a reported fish kill at Port Geographe Marina near Busselton.
About 3,000 dead fish from a range of species have been observed in a canal on the western side of the marina.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) officers are gathering information and assess the extent of the fish kill. They will also collect suitable fish and water samples for laboratory testing if possible.
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 DPIRD officers have been trained to collect fish and water samples using appropriate safety equipment and methods.
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.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
DPIRD is responsible for responding to fish kill events that occur in ocean environments. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation 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.