100kg of mackerel fish strewn on Princes Highway near Bellbird Hill

Driving on a busy highway proved a different kettle of fish for motorists on the far south coast. Find out what happened.

Emergency crews have had a slippery start to their day after being dispatched to clear an 100kg truckload of mackerel fish strewn over the Princes Highway, with police on the hunt for the culprit.

Firefighters from Eden Fire and Rescue NSW were called to the Princes Highway on Tuesday at 5.19am to clear abandoned mackerel fish and oil which had been spread over an 80m stretch, and across both lanes.

The fish haul spread almost the length of a footy field. Picture: Eden Fire and Rescue NSW

Police are still searching for the culprit who dumped the fish.

The cause of the spill is unknown.

A Fire and Rescue NSW statement said the source of the unwanted delivery had already left when crews arrived. Firefighters moved quickly to clear the fish and oil from the road.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority and NSW Police had been notified to investigate the incident.