Millions of Dead Fish Found Floating in Australian River

Fish deaths in the lower Darling-Baaka attributed to low oxygen levels

In this image from video, dead fish float on the surface of the lower Darling-Baaka River near the New South Wales state far west town of Menindee, Australia, on March 18, 2023. Australian Broadcasting Corporation via AP

Millions of dead fish have been found floating in an Australian river in New South Wales (NSW), with environmental officials attributing the deaths to depleted oxygen levels in the river following recent floods and hot weather.

The deaths occurred in the lower Darling-Baaka River near the town of Menindee on March 17, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) said in a statement on Facebook. The DPI stated that “millions of fish” were affected, predominantly bony herring and smaller numbers of other large-bodied species such as Murray cod, golden and silver perch, and carp.