Mystery of the one million fish dead in Californian harbour
Added 09/03/2011
An estimated one million fish, including anchovies, sardines and mackeral have been washed up, dead, in the harbour at the Californian beach resort of Redondo Beach.
Officials investigating the incident have failed to find evidence of anything toxic or hazardous, after testing the water.Some theories are suggesting hat the sheer number of fish heading in to the harbour, seeking shelter from rough seas, could have exhausted the available oxygen supply, causing them all to die.
In some places of the harbour, which is home to about 500 full time residents and where approximately 1400 boats are currently moored, the fish are so thick that boats are unable to leave.
US officials are now trying to get the dead fish cleared up quickly to avoid a public health hazard. Workers are using wheelbarrows and tractors to clear the smelly fish carcasses from the marina. The plan is for the dead fish to be turned into fertiliser.
The fish have washed up in King Harbor Marina in Redondo Beach which is about 16 miles south-west of Los Angeles.
