Fish kill closes Jurien Bay beach

Authorities have closed Jurien Boat Harbour’s beach due to a fish kill.

A Department of Transport spokesperson said seagrass accumulation at Jurien Boat Harbour lowered the dissolved oxygen levels in the harbour, leading to the kill.

As the facility manager, the department has temporarily closed the beach and recommends people do not swim in the water or eat fish caught in the marina.

Pet owners have also been warned not to allow contact with dead or decomposing fish either in the water or onshore.

DoT acting manager James Holder said local contractors had been hired to remove the dead fish.

“The Shire of Dandaragan has erected warning signs on the harbour beach,” Mr Holder said.

“In conjunction with the Department of Health it is monitoring water quality levels.

“DoT will continue to maintain a clean shoreline.”

Mr Holder said environmental approvals were in progress for harbour dredging, with works expected in 2020.

“DoT implemented a multi-facetted data collection program at the harbour in 2014,” he said.

“The results are being used in detailed modelling to determine achievable long-term strategies to address environmental issues at the facility.”

More information is available at: www.transport.wa.gov.au/jurienboatharbourproject