In Pictures: Thousands of NSW fish deaths expected due to cyclone 'blackwater'
Large numbers of dead or dying fish have washed up on the banks of the Richmond River at Ballina in Northern New South Wales since yesterday with more deaths expected in the coming days, Australian charity OzFish has revealed.
Messages and images of fish gasping for air or already killed were sent to the fish habitat charity by locals overnight, likely caused by 'blackwater': oxygen-low flood runoff from Ex-Cyclone Alfred.
Healthy water should contain at least 5 milligrams of oxygen per litre, but flooding washes organic material into waterways, reducing the level of oxygen in water as it decomposes and causing marine life to suffocate, according to OzFish.
"Fish experience distress when oxygen falls below 4mg per litre, and start to die at 2mg a litre," Price said.
Water quality testing conducted by the charity on the Richmond River has found that current dissolved oxygen levels in the water are almost nonexistent, sitting at 0.4 milligrams per litre.
Flathead, bream, whiting, prawns and other marine life were among the animals found by locals, with OzFish also receiving reports received of eels and mudcrabs escaping the water.
Price called for 'urgent action' to build up the resilience of NSW waterways and prevent further kills, including restoring local swamplands in the Tuckean Nature Reserve that border Richmond.
"Healthy swamp bordering rivers acts as a sieve, or a filter, that reduces the blackwater from entering the waterway," she said.
The public is also urged to report fish deaths by sending images or messages to OzFish in the coming days, to help the charity push through approvals for nature restoration projects to protect from future blackwater incidents.
"Record a pin drop or geo reference of your location, estimate the number of fish, take note of any key species you can identify, and take photos and videos," said Price. "Send it through to us at info@ozfish.org.au."
The clean-up from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues as new images emerge to show the havoc the storm wreaked on Queensland's beaches.
The image of Surfers Paradise on the left was taken on August 4, 2020, while the one on the right was snapped post-Alfred on Thursday, March 13.
Significant beach erosion is visible.
Another "before" photo at Surfers, one of the country's most popular beach spots.
And now the "after" shot.
The Bureau of Meteorology consistently warned of beach erosion and damaging surf during Alfred's approach and landfall.
It could take months or even years before the beaches are restored.
The clean-up is anticipated to be lengthy.
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