Investigations are underway into a marine fish kill, involving an estimated 800 abalone, along with other shellfish species, including crabs and various molluscs, found dead along more than a kilometre stretch of beach, north of Yallingup.
Parks and Wildlife Service officers, from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions who inspected the site today, also noticed a red tinge to the high water mark, which could indicate that a cyanobacterium known as Trichodesmium sp. may have been present in the ocean at the time of the fish kill.
There have also recently been low tides and hot temperatures in the area.
Samples of sea water, dead abalone and the other marine species will undergo laboratory testing in order to determine what has caused the fish kill.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development officers are monitoring the situation and updates will be issued, when further information is available.
In the mean-time we urge people to stay safe by following the general Department of Health fish kill 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.