Fears of contamination as hundreds of dead fish line beaches from Dromana to Rye

Hundreds of dead yellowtail scad are piling up on beaches from Dromana to Rye, sparking fears of a chemical spill in the bay.

Beachgoers are shocked by piles of deals fish at Mornington Peninsula beaches, including Rye. Picture: supplied

Hundreds of dead fish have washed up on Mornington Peninsula beaches sparking fears of contamination in the bay.

The dead fish, mostly yellowtail scad, were strewn along the tideline from Dromana to Tootgarook on Tuesday.

Locals took to social media in search of answers amid fears the fish had been killed by pollution or a chemical spill.

Is red algae at Rye the reason hundreds of fish have died? Picture: supplied

Others suggested that a red algal bloom spotted recently at Rye beach was responsible.

An EPA spokesman told the Herald Sun that officers had inspected the sites where the dead fish were reported and concluded the event did not involve pollution.

He said the incident was now a matter for Victorian Fisheries Authority and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

A Fisheries spokesperson said officers had also inspected the sites and determined that the deaths were a natural occurrence, most likely caused by larger fish attacking a school of scad and driving them towards the shore.

Seagulls were busy feeding on the fish on Wednesday and the local council has also been alerted in case further clean up was needed.