Investigation underway into fish kill off Coogee
Investigations have begun into a fish kill involving possibly several hundred scaley mackerel floating between the Woodman Point Ammo Jetty and the Omeo Wreck.
Officers from the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) have gathered information and samples after reports of floating dead mackerel. With onshore winds, fish have already started washing up on Coogee Beach and could come up on other beaches in the area.
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.
Do not 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.
Do not fish in water with large numbers of dead fish.
It is advisable to temporarily not collect or consume fish from the waters near a fish kill.
Do not collect and use dead fish for bait or consumption because of the risk of high levels of bacteria.
Do not 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. 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.
DPIRD will request the location and the nature of the fish kill and other details such as GPS coordinates, numbers of dead fish and, if possible, the species affected. Photographs may also be submitted.
