Mass leatherjacket fish die-off under investigation in Australia

Authorities in New South Wales and Queensland are looking into the death of thousands of leatherjacket fish found on beaches. Most of the fish are juvenile and have washed up along the NSW south coast, from Lake Conjola to Narooma, and on the Sunshine Coast. This incident followed ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The NSW Department of Primary Industries reported that the fish were discovered along a 140-kilometer stretch of coastline, including popular fishing areas like Batemans Bay and Ulladulla. Officials noted that thousands of dead leatherjackets have been reported, but the cause of death is still unknown. Samples are being tested, and fisheries officers are monitoring the situation. Leatherjackets are commonly found in Australian waters, with over 20 species in NSW. They are known for their tough skin and distinctive beak-like teeth. A spokesperson from the Sunshine Coast Council confirmed several reports of these fish washing up in southeast Queensland. The reasons for the fish strandings can vary. Environmental changes, pollution, or storm events like ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred may have contributed. In the past, similar mass fish kills have occurred due to rapid changes in water temperature or flooding events. Recently, many fish deaths were also reported in the Richmond River area in northern NSW, linked to flooding that affected water quality. Authorities warn that such conditions may continue to cause problems in the coming weeks.