Marine deaths unprecedented, expert says
More marine life has washed up on the South Australian coastline today, with another two dead dolphins and a rare fish discovered.
The death count now stands at 26 after a young dolphin was found near Port Noarlunga today - bleeding from the eyes - and another was found in the state’s South-East.
Diver Nigel Black even found a rare boarfish at Southport Beach.
“We were quite surprised, it is not a regular sort of fish to find on the beaches here,” Mr Black said.
Dead fish began washing ashore on Adelaide beaches in late March, and since then thousands of marine animals have washed up on the South Australian coast.
Dr Mike Bossley has researched dolphins for more than 30 years and says the spate of deaths is mortifying.
“So many dolphins dying in a short period is unprecedented in my experience in South Australia, and probably in Australia,” he said.
“They all seem to be young dolphins…so that’s real worrying.
“It really is important that everyone knows what’s going on because the community is really, really worried.”
The South Australia Opposition claims the government is not acting quickly or transparently.
“We’ve got several government departments dealing with this, I think what we really need to do is to get an expert panel put together as quickly as possible so we can fast track this,” Opposition leader Steven Marshall said.
The environment department says everybody wants quick answers on the issue, and that information on the deaths will start to come back later this week.
Coastal communities are organizing a rally next Wednesday at the Port Noarlunga jetty at 5.30pm with hundreds of people expected to attend.
