NATURAL EVENTS

Thousands of dead fish in Australia, the sad phenomenon is also linked to climate change

A sad phenomenon has struck the Australian outback. Thousands of dead fish washed up on the shores of the lake in the town of Menindee.

The phenomenon was caused by flooding in the area, but also by a heat wave. The death of the fish seems to be mainly related to low oxygen levels in the water as the floods receded.

In addition, the water retains less oxygen because it is warmer, thus not allowing the fish - especially cod and perch - to breathe.

ANSA
Thousands of dead fish in an Australian lake
A sad phenomenon has hit the Australian outback. Thousands of dead fish washed up on the shores of Lake Darling-Baaka, in the town of Menindee (South Wales).
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The causes of death
The phenomenon was caused by flooding in the area but also by a heat wave. The fish deaths appear to be related mainly to low oxygen levels in the water as the floods receded.
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Fish species involved
In addition, the water retains less oxygen because it is warmer, thus not allowing the fish to breathe. The species affected are 85 per cent native, such as bream and golden perch, while the rest are non-native fish such as carp. According to the authorities, the event was unprecedented even though something similar had happened in the same area in 2018, albeit not on the same scale.
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The removal of dead fish
In the meantime, the authorities have started to remove the dead fish carcasses. It has already been confirmed that unfortunately it will not be possible to remove all of them, but that at the same time the water quality for residents will not change for the worse.
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The high temperatures
Temperatures in the affected area reached 40°C (104°F) over the weekend. In addition to recovering dead fish, many volunteers are trying to rescue as many native fish that would have survived instead.
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