Report a fish kill

A fish kill is defined as "a sudden and unexpected mass mortality of wild or cultured fish". Fish kills are often very visible events, which can generate considerable public and media interest and concern because they are often perceived to be the result of pollution or contamination of waters.

In fact, there are many causes of fish kills, and are often due to natural events. Fish kills in the wild should be reported to a Fisheries Officer, a Fisheries Conservation Manager if in regional NSW or the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH, formerly DECCW) if in the Sydney Metropolitan Area.

Fisheries Officers can be notified by phoning:

• Fishers Watch 24 hour hotline 1800 043 536 or
• your local NSW DPI Fisheries office, and ask to speak to a Fisheries Officer

For more information on fish kills and how you can report them, read:

• Fish Kills in NSW - Frequently Asked Questions
• Submission of fish for disease diagnosis

Reporting aquatic animal diseases

Unusual disease signs, or unexplained deaths in cultured or wild fish, should always be reported to NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI).

The presence or suspected presence of a declared disease must by law be reported to a Fisheries Officer. Take a photo of the fish if possible and see links below for information on preserving the fish.

• More information on declared diseases
• Contact details for NSW DPI offices

For other information on reporting suspected diseases in NSW, including completion of the:

• Specimen Submission Form
• Oyster Mortality Form 100Kb
• How to preserve a fish for disease diagnosis

Contact:

More information on reporting:

• Oyster diseases/mortalities
• Submission of fish for disease diagnosis

Report a pest species

Early detection of an aquatic pest population is critical! Once a pest fish has established in an area, it is very difficult, if not impossible to eradicate. Early detection of an aquatic pest population is critical! Once a pest fish has established in an area, it is very difficult, if not impossible to eradicate.

What should I do if I find a pest?

If you think you've seen any of the marine or freshwater pest species listed on this website, please either take a good quality digital photo and email it to us, or collect a sample of the organism. If it's a fish, place it in a plastic bag and freeze it. If it's a sample of seaweed, take the piece(s) home and carefully dry them between two sheets of blotting paper. Report your sighting to the DPI Aquatic Biosecurity Unit.

To report a sighting

• Either phone: 02 4916 3877 (recorded 24 hour hotline)
• Or complete the online form
• Or email aquatic.pests@industry.nsw.gov.au