Dozens of eels and small crabs found dead in Safety Bay waters

About 50 dead eels and a small number of crabs were found today along an area of coast known as the Pond in Safety Bay.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions are investigating the ‘fish kill’ near Bent Street, Safety Bay.

Eel, crab and water samples have been taken and will be tested in a laboratory testing to determine the cause of death.

The public is urged to follow general Department of Health fish kill advice including not swimming in areas of water with large numbers of dead and decomposing fish because of the potential for high levels or bacteria, not to fish or collect dead fish as bait and not to allow pets to come in contact with dead or decomposing fish.

Fish kills should be reported to the FishWatch 24-hour hotline on 1800 815 507.

A DPIRD spokesman said laboratories carried out testing of any fish samples where disease could be the cause.

“This can take some time and it may not be possible to identify a single definitive cause, but every effort is made to establish probable factors,” he said.