Dozens of dead marine animals, including sharks, have washed up on a beach in South Australia under mysterious circumstances.
The animals were found scattered across several kilometers of beach at Eight Mile Creek, 15 miles south of Mount Gambier.
The discovery has stunned authorities, locals and tourists The advertisersay they have never seen anything like it.
Over the past two days, more than 60 wobbegong sharks, stingrays, crabs, snappers, sea urchins, sea snails and crayfish have reportedly washed ashore.
A spokesperson for the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia told Daily Mail Australia that wrasse, octopus, a Port Jackson shark, Australian salmon and ling were also among the victims.
The animals were found scattered across several kilometers of beach at Eight Mile Creek, 15 miles south of Mount Gambier.
More than sixty wobbegong sharks, stingrays, crabs, snappers, sea urchins, sea snails and crayfish have reportedly washed ashore in the past two days
The spokesperson said after receiving reports of the incident east of Port McDonnell, the department launched an investigation.
“The cause has not yet been confirmed, but early indications from water testing are that low salinity, caused by recent heavy rainfall, is the most likely reason for the fish kill,” the spokesperson said.
‘PIRSA has collected tissue samples to rule out waterborne diseases and tests are being carried out.
‘In general, fish kill events can be caused by a variety of causes, including environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall (or lack thereof) and water quality, including salinity or oxygen levels, or by disease or pollutants.’
Low salinity could be to blame for the mass stranding, according to the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia
PIRSA has reminded people that if they notice anything ‘unusual relating to dead or dying fish’ anywhere on the coast or in South Australia’s waterways, they should call FISHWATCH on 1800 065 522.