Fish kills reported on West Australian coast

WA’s extended spell of hot, still weather and warm ocean temperatures are believed to be the cause of fish kills along the Mid-West coast and out at the Abrolhos Islands.

Department of Fisheries Senior Fish Pathologist Dr Brian Jones said he expected the natural phenomena would continue while coastal water temperatures remained high.

“Fish are cold-blooded, so when the water gets either too hot or too cold, they suffer,” Dr Jones said.

“We have had reports of fish dying recently in the Moore River, along various sections of the coast up to the Mid West and the still, hot conditions have played a significant role in the mortalities. Jones said there had also been reports of abalone losses on reefs near Greenough and fish and lobster deaths at the Abrolhos Islands.

He said the advent of some coral spawning at the Abrolhos Islands had also sapped oxygen from the water. (FishingWorld)