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Growing concerns over dead fish

Beachgoers in Adelaide’s south say they are fed up with thousands of dead fish washing up on their beaches and are taking matters into the own hands.

They are collecting specimens for independent testing as the scale of the phenomenon continues to grow.

Thousands of dead fish have littered the coast in recent weeks and locals are demanding answers.

“What I’d like to see happen is some really rigorous testing done of the water and of the fish,” marine biologist Tom Barnes said.

Some surfers are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery and have been collecting dead fish for independent testing.

“I noticed the fish started getting bigger and bigger,” said surfer Peter Dunn.

“We’ve started out with very small fish and now we’re finding snapper and whiting.

“I’ve never seen that before in my life.”

They say the water is affecting surfers as well.

“One other surfer had to have a day off work the other day because his eyes were burning so much and we’ve been surfing down at Victor Harbor and it’s completely different – there’s no problem with it at all,” Mr Dunn said.

Beachgoers say they have seen dead fish wash up from Sellicks Beach to Hallett Cove.

Desalination plant operator Adelaide Aqua says the new facility is not to blame.

Government officials will carry out more tests this week, but say an algal bloom outbreak caused by severe winds and warmer weather is the likely culprit.