Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Redondo's Dead Fish Will Be Vacuumed Up, Used as Fertilizer
First: Hold the anchovies! It turns out those millions of dead fish that mysteriously clogged up the waters of Redondo Beach's King Harbor yesterday are mostly sardines. Second: Now officials are scrambling to get those sardines out of the water before the "massive, churning ball of sardines, and some mackerel and anchovies," that showed up unexpectedly turns into a colossal public and marine life heath nightmare, according to LA Now.
A "giant vaccum device" will be used to siphon the fish out of the water, and that job could take a few days. Once the dead fish are, well, fished out, their remains will have a helpful purpose--they'll be used as fertilizer.
What brought the fish in, and why they died en masse, seems likely to be because of a spring storm that sent them towards shore, and, once in King Harbor's set of four marinas, they suffocated. The Times explains:
Even at high tide, King Harbor is only 22 feet deep, and though it is home to mackerel and perch, there simply wasn't enough oxygen to support such a massive influx of fish, even of the four-inch variety, officials said. The basin of the marina complex the fish chose also happened to be a spot with very little water movement, critical for maintaining oxygen levels.
Fish corpses have been sent up to the state capitol to be analyzed, however a review of the King Harbor waters show no toxins or algae buildup.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
