Mass Fish Die-Off Due to Abnormal Heat
Rising Concerns Over Odor and Water Resource Pollution
In Australia, millions of freshwater fish have died en masse as water temperatures rose due to a heatwave. Nearby residents are complaining of discomfort from the foul odor, and there are concerns that the decaying fish carcasses could contaminate water resources. Local governments and police have even been mobilized to assist with the "fish cleanup."
According to the BBC on the 21st (local time), the New South Wales (NSW) police authorities stated, "We will prioritize handling the fish schools near densely populated riverbanks," but also expressed that cleaning up all the fish carcasses throughout the entire river seems impossible.
The riverbanks near Menindee in NSW have recently been plagued by the stench caused by millions of fish carcasses washing ashore. One local resident complained, "The dead fish emit a terrible smell, so I have to wear a mask all day."
Millions of fish were found dead in the Dally-Barka River on the outskirts of Menindee, New South Wales (NSW), Australia. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]
Photos released by local media show fish carcasses forming long lines along the river. Most of them are freshwater fish such as carp that inhabit riverbanks.
According to an investigation by NSW local authorities, the cause of the mass fish deaths was abnormal high temperatures. The NSW Department of Primary Industries explained in a statement, "Due to the heatwave, the water warmed up, lowering the oxygen concentration in the water," adding, "This is the cause of the mass deaths."
Currently, Australian authorities have established emergency facilities in NSW, focusing on cleaning up the fish carcasses. Regarding this, NSW police told the BBC, "This will be a very important and challenging task," and added, "The mass death of millions of fish is unprecedented."
The cleanup is planned to be carried out by spreading nets along the water's edge to scoop up the fish carcasses. To this end, the police emphasized, "We will contract companies with professional knowledge and expertise." However, considering the scale of fish carcasses covering the entire river, they added, "It does not seem likely that all fish carcasses can be handled."
Meanwhile, concerns are growing that the decaying fish carcasses could contaminate water resources used by residents. In response, an official from the authorities told the media, "Water resources still maintain high quality," emphasizing, "Providing clean drinking water to residents is our top priority."
They continued, "We are preparing various methods to supply water and will seek cooperation, including monitoring water quality together with the NSW local government."
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