logo
Sad discovery at popular Aussie river sparks concern amid 'disturbing' trend

Sad discovery at popular Aussie river sparks concern amid 'disturbing' trend

Yahoo18-05-2025

"Disturbed" locals have reported that hundreds — and possibly thousands — of small dead fish are washing up ashore along a popular Australian waterway in the country's south.
Numerous dead fish have been spotted floating along the River Derwent in Tasmania over the weekend, sparking an investigation by environmental authorities.
The fish, believed to be pilchards or sardines, were seen strewn along the water and beaches between Crayfish Point in Taroona and Long Beach in Sandy Bay on Saturday. The sight alarmed local residents, many of whom shared their concern on social media.
Initial testing by Biosecurity Tasmania and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) detected the presence of pilchard orthomyxovirus (POMV) — a virus known to naturally occur in several fish species found in Tasmanian waters — in samples collected over the weekend, Pulse Tasmania reported.
The virus belongs to the same broader family as influenza but only infects aquatic species, with Atlantic salmon and Australian pilchards being particularly vulnerable.
While it often exists in the environment without causing major issues, outbreaks can occur when fish are stressed due to environmental factors like warm water temperatures, low oxygen levels, or handling. These outbreaks can lead to symptoms such as lethargy, unusual swimming behaviour, reduced appetite, and, in severe cases, large-scale fish deaths.
In recent months, mass fish deaths have been reported along Australia's coast. In March 2025, thousands of juvenile leatherjacket fish washed up on beaches stretching over 300 kilometres from Stanwell Park to Bermagui in New South Wales.
Similarly, in South-East Queensland, reports emerged of leatherjacket fish washing ashore, with environmental factors such as changes in water temperature, pollution, or natural events like ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred potentially contributing to the strandings.
In South Australia, a toxic algae outbreak was responsible for the deaths of numerous marine life. Among them were different species of fish, octopus and cockles (also known as pipis).
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania confirmed that tests for illnesses typically associated with farmed salmon, including Tasmanian rickettsia-like organism (TRLO) and P. salmonis, returned negative results.
Locals 'not happy' as mysterious 'foul-smelling chunks' wash up
Senator slammed for car park claim after salmon disease outbreak
'Disgusting' photos of popular Aussie food spark furious debate
While the current fish kill appears to be localised, further testing is now underway to determine whether other contributing factors may be involved. Officials are also monitoring nearby marine environments to assess the potential impact on other species.
Environmental scientists said it's still unclear whether the event was an isolated incident or could indicate deeper ecological issues within the Derwent Estuary.
In early 2025, Tasmania experienced a significant environmental crisis as large numbers of dead salmon and oily fish waste began washing up on beaches in the state's southeast, including Verona Sands and Bruny Island.
These incidents were linked to a mass mortality event in nearby salmon farms, where over 5,500 tonnes of fish died in February alone—approximately six per cent of the industry's annual production.
The primary cause of the die-off was an outbreak of Piscirickettsia salmonis, a bacterial infection exacerbated by rising water temperatures. As the infected fish decomposed, congealed fish oil and fatty, "foul-smelling" deposits formed, which then drifted ashore.
Preliminary testing by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) confirmed that these greasy "chunks" were composed of fish oil mixed with sand.
Despite the decline in fish deaths, the incident has raised ongoing concerns about the sustainability and environmental impact of salmon farming in Tasmania. Calls for increased transparency and stricter oversight continue as the community seeks to prevent similar events in the future.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Chesapeake Bay health grade dips after hottest year on record and extreme rainfall patterns
Chesapeake Bay health grade dips after hottest year on record and extreme rainfall patterns

Associated Press

timean hour ago

  • Associated Press

Chesapeake Bay health grade dips after hottest year on record and extreme rainfall patterns

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The health of the Chesapeake Bay declined in an annual report card on the nation's largest estuary released Tuesday, with scientists noting the effect of extreme rainfall patterns during the hottest year on record. The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science gave the bay a C grade in its report card. That compares to a C-plus grade the bay received last year, which was the highest grade it had received since 2002. 'There was a substantial upturn in the overall Bay Health score in 2024, and it came down a little this year,' said Heath Kelsey, director of UMCES Integration and Application Network. 'Over the long term, though, there is still an improving trend from the 1980s until now. We think extreme weather may have had some impact on the scores this year.' The report noted that last year was the hottest year on record, with extreme rainfall patterns. 'While parts of the watershed experienced drought, brief but intense downpours can cause water to flow over the ground rather than soak into it, increasing the fertilizer, dirt, and debris carried into waterways,' the report said. Bill Dennison, vice president for Science Application at UMCES, said the changing climate is definitely having an effect on the bay. 'One of the things that we saw in Maryland, in particular, was a prolonged summer drought — not so much spring, but a summer drought — punctuated by these extreme runoff events,' Dennison said. 'So what was happening was that the crops didn't have enough water, so they're not soaking up the nutrients.' As a result, when it did rain, there were excess nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, that were flowing into the bay, Dennison said. 'Now sadly, this is kind of our future,' Dennison said at a news conference at the Annapolis Maritime Museum near the bay. 'This is the kind of weather patterns that are starting to become more common, which is drought punctuated by extreme events.' Warmer weather winters and higher temperatures mean less oxygen in the water for aquatic life, stressing fish and shellfish, Dennison added. 'So these are some of the things that we have to overcome and build more resilience into our system,' Dennison said. Despite the grade drop, the report cited long-term improvements in dissolved oxygen in the bay's waters. That's the amount of oxygen present in the water that is needed to support bay aquatic life. The report also noted long-term improvements in aquatic grasses, which provide habitat and food for various species, improve water quality and protect shorelines from erosion. Phosphorus and nitrogen levels also have improved in the long-term in another positive sign. While they are needed by the bay's organisms, excessive nitrogen and phosphorus degrade the bay's water quality. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus fuel algal blooms that can cloud the water and block sunlight from reaching underwater grasses. Water clarity and chlorophyll-a scores, however, have declining long-term trends, the report said. Chlorophyll-a in the bay is an indicator of phytoplankton abundance and water quality. Improving trends can be attributed to management and restoration efforts at the regional, state, and local levels, the report said. Regionally, wastewater treatment plants have been upgraded and programs have been put in place to reduce nutrient and sediment input. The health of the bay is a reflection of what's happening across its six-state watershed, which includes Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia along with the District of Columbia. UMCES, which is marking its 100th anniversary, also provides a grade for the overall watershed health in its report card. It gave the watershed a grade of C-plus. The watershed health grade includes ecological, societal and economic indicators. The most concerning societal indicator was heat vulnerability, the report said, noting communities may be under heat stress due to hotter air temperatures, less tree canopy cover, and more paved surfaces.

Chances are you have 'forever chemicals' in your blood. See PFAS levels in your Florida city
Chances are you have 'forever chemicals' in your blood. See PFAS levels in your Florida city

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Chances are you have 'forever chemicals' in your blood. See PFAS levels in your Florida city

Water. "Forever chemicals." Those are words you generally don't want to see together. For 42 million Americans, it hits home. Water coming from their faucets is contaminated with unacceptable levels of 'forever chemicals,' according to a USA TODAY analysis of records the Environmental Protection Agency released on June 2. Studies have shown the chemicals can accumulate in our bodies, leading to certain cancers and other health complications. What's even worse is that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS, are a family of manmade chemicals engineered to be nearly indestructible. Here's what you should know, including how to find out if any of the forever chemicals are in your water and how you can limit some exposure to PFAS. Over the past two years, the EPA has collected complete sets of test results from about 6,900 drinking water systems, with thousands more expected as the PFAS testing initiative continues another year. USA TODAY's analysis of these systems with complete results shows nearly a quarter of large water utilities serving at least 100,000 customers exceeded limits the EPA approved last year on two chemicals: PFOS and PFOA. According to a 2020 study published in "Science" by the Environmental Working Group, an estimated 200 million Americans are served by water systems that contain PFAS. "And it's not just public systems; a 2023 study by the U.S. Geological Survey found approximately 20% of private wells are contaminated." Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated as PFAS and known as forever chemicals, have been around since the 1950s. They're used in many products, from cosmetics to nonstick cookware. PFAS are used in the aerospace, automotive, construction, and electronics industries. Over time, PFAS may leak into the soil, water, and air, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. "PFAS molecules have a chain of linked carbon and fluorine atoms. Because the carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest, these chemicals do not degrade easily in the environment," according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. They can last for thousands of years, according to Carsten Prasee, assistant professor in Environmental Health and Engineering at Johns Hopkins. 'We estimate there are more than 12,000 individual PFAS compounds, and unfortunately for most of them, we have basically no understanding about toxicity." The most common method of destroying PFAS is incineration, but some studies indicate this fails to eliminate all the chemicals, and instead releases the remaining pollution into the air, according to Johns Hopkins. "In water treatment systems, the main methods for destroying PFAS are reverse osmosis, activated carbon, and ion-exchange resins — but these technologies are costly." PFAS are synthetic compounds that "are an unseen ingredient in many items that we use in our daily lives, like cleaning products, food packaging, nonstick cookware, cosmetics, personal care items like dental floss, water-repellent clothing, as well as stain-resistant carpets and upholstery," according to Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 'Unfortunately, PFAS are also present in biosolids which are used as agricultural fertilizer,' creating a pathway from contaminated soil to produce in the grocery store." "When items containing PFAS inevitably reach landfills, the compounds leach into the environment. And every day, people flush PFA-laden products — like shampoo, cleaning liquids, even some toilet papers — down the drain." "People are most likely exposed to these chemicals by consuming PFAS-contaminated water or food, using products made with PFAS, or breathing air containing PFAS," according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. "Because PFAS break down slowly, if at all, people and animals are repeatedly exposed to them, and blood levels of some PFAS can build up over time." An estimated 98% of the U.S. population has detectable concentrations in their blood, according to Johns Hopkins. The Centers for Disease Control said 97% of Americans have PFAS in their blood. Research has said there are possible links between human exposures to certain PFAS and some adverse health outcomes, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. These health effects include: Reduced ability of the immune system to fight infections. Altered metabolism and body weight regulation, and risk of childhood obesity. Increased risk of some cancers. Other health problems linked to PFAS listed by the Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control include: Delay of puberty in girls Decrease in bone mineral density Type 2 diabetes in women Increased risk for thyroid cancer Liver damage Increases in cholesterol levels Lower antibody response to some vaccines Pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia Small decreases in birth weight Kidney and testicular cancer Prasse and other experts recommend a variety of actions to minimize exposure to PFAS: Avoid using nonstick cookware. Limit use of food packaging, such as grease-resistant takeout containers. Filter your water at the tap, with pitchers that are certified for PFAS. Avoid wearing water-resistant textiles. Seek out PFAS-free retailers' products — including menstrual products and large items like carpets or furniture. Some products that may contain PFAS include: Stain-resistant carpets, upholstery, and other fabrics. Water-resistant clothing. Cleaning products. Personal care products and cosmetics (such as shampoo, dental floss, nail polish, and eye makeup). Paints, varnishes, and sealants. USA TODAY found 774 systems don't meet the limits for forever chemicals. These utilities will likely need to install advanced filtration systems or find alternative sources of drinking water by 2031. The deadline for systems to meet the water standards was originally set for 2029, but in May, the EPA proposed an extension and announced it intends to rescind limits on four other types of PFAS set under the Biden administration in 2024. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the delay was to provide 'common-sense flexibility' to 'support water systems across the country, including small systems in rural communities, as they work to address these contaminants.' This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 'Forever chemicals', PFAS contaminate US, Florida drinking water

Netflix's Best New Show Lands A 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score From Critics
Netflix's Best New Show Lands A 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score From Critics

Forbes

time4 hours ago

  • Forbes

Netflix's Best New Show Lands A 100% Rotten Tomatoes Score From Critics

The Survivors Netflix has been on something of a roll with its mystery series as of late, from the 100% scored Secrets We Keep to the newly Emmy-submitted Dept. Q. Now, a new series has arrived from Australia that also has a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. That would be The Survivors, a new series starring a lead from a rival streaming service, Charlie Vickers, who plays Sauron in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. It also has Yerin Ha, the actress who was a supporting character in the awful Halo show on Paramount Plus but who has landed some seriously big parts including the co-lead of the next season of Bridgerton and now a big role in this perfectly scored mystery. What a turnaround. What's the story here? This is the official synopsis: Unlike Dept. Q, this is meant to be a six-episode limited series, and it was based on a book, so there's no more source material to come with its self-contained story. It debuted at #3 on Netflix, a very solid performance, but again, viewership doesn't really matter when you're not attempting to grab a second season. The Survivors As it stands, with limited critic reviews in, it has that 100%. There are not enough audience reviews for a score yet on Rotten Tomatoes, but we can head over to IMDB to see that it has a 6.5 out of 10 with a thousand or so reviews in. That's okay, not amazing, given the context of ratings on that site. What's good about it? Here's a sampling of the critical praise: With episodes around 45-50 minutes, it's perhaps a 1-2 day commitment, depending on your schedule, and an easy binge so you can see if your view matches critics. I started it, and I was sort of immediately put off by some bad CGI showcasing the original accident, but hopefully, it gets better from there. I'll give it more of a chance, I suppose. Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram. Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store