South Coast community puzzled as hundreds of dead leatherjacket blanket beaches

Call Mulder and Scully: It’s a mystery which has baffled locals, anglers and government agencies alike, after scores of this fish bizarrely washed up dead across multiple South Coast beaches.

Better call Mulder and Scully.

A strange unexplained phenomenon is unfolding across a long stretch of the South Coast, leaving locals, anglers and government agencies baffled, after hundreds of juvenile leatherjacket fish mysteriously washed ashore.

Residents from Narooma to Guerilla Bay reported seeing hundreds of lifeless fish littered across a number of local beaches.

For seasoned fisherman Graham Adler, it was an unsettling and “eerie” sight.

“I walked down to the beach last night for a fish and was just astounded,” he told this publication.

“They were just everywhere – it was very eerie.”

Hundreds of dead leatherjacket have washed up on South Coast beaches. Pictures: Tom McGann

Heading down for another fish at Guerilla Bay on Wednesday morning, Mr Adler said the sight again left him uneasy.

“I’m not even sure if I should be fishing right now,” he admitted.

The find has been “eerie” for locals. Picture: Tom McGann

“Why did they all die?”

Canberra tourists Raj and Ananya Kumar, who said they were frequent visitors of the Eurobodalla, revealed the strange sight also left them spooked.

“We thought we’d come out for a swim this morning, but I don’t really want to get in the water now,” Mr Kumar said.

Mrs Kumar agreed, labelling the sight “gross”.

The "eerie" sight has spooked locals and tourists alike. Picture: Tom McGann

“It’s not really something I want to see when I’m trying to enjoy the beach,” she said.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries said they were aware of the mass deaths, confirming the species as leatherjackets.

They said the Australian fish was identifiable by their beaklike mouths and serrated head spikes.

However, the spokesman revealed the department was as puzzled as the public.

“Current reports are estimating numbers in the hundreds of fish, mostly juvenile leatherjackets, washed up on several South Coast beaches,” he said.

“The cause is currently unknown.”

The department has however collected samples as part of their investigation into the unexplained phenomenon.

They have also urged beachgoers to report any fish deaths or unusual activity to Fishers Watch at 1800 043 536.

Fisheries NSW officers continue to monitor the region for any further events.

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