Hundreds of Dead Fish Wash Up on East Coast: "The Stench Is Overwhelming"

Amid a recent increase in bluefin tuna catches along the east coast of Gangwon Province, attention is turning to the cause behind a series of mass fish deaths, following a similar incident involving anchovies, as mackerel and other fish have been found washed ashore.

On the afternoon of June 16, hundreds of fish, including mackerel and herring, were found dead along the coast of Yeongok Beach in Gangneung.

Some were floating in the sea before being washed onto the sandy beach by the waves, causing discomfort to residents and tourists due to the foul odor at the scene.

A witness who saw the scene said, "There was a mix of various fish species, including what looked like juvenile mackerel, and they kept washing up from the sea," adding, "The stench was very strong."

Such mackerel carcasses have also been spotted recently at nearby Gyeongpo Beach and other areas.

The city believes that the possibility of these deaths being caused by marine pollution is low.

A city official explained, "So far, no unusual circumstances such as the influx of pollutants have been confirmed," and added, "It is possible that this is related to the recent increase in bluefin tuna catches."

The official continued, "There are cases where small fish trapped alongside bluefin tuna during the hauling process by set-net fishing boats die from the shock," and added, "It is likely that the carcasses were washed ashore by currents and waves."

In fact, bluefin tuna have recently been approaching the coast in large numbers, leading to a significant increase in catches by set-net fishing boats along the east coast.

Bluefin tuna are major predatory fish that feed on small species such as anchovies, juvenile mackerel, and horse mackerel.

Previously, on June 10, a school of anchovies was found dead after washing up on Gyeongpo Beach.

At the time, experts estimated that this phenomenon occurred as the anchovy schools were chased toward the beach by top predators such as mackerel or herring.

Some suggest that these fish mortality events are not unrelated to the recent changes in the marine environment observed along the east coast.

The possibility exists that a combination of factors, such as an increase in warm-water species including bluefin tuna, the movement of prey organisms, and changes in water temperature, may have had an impact.

The city is currently collecting the dead fish washed up on the coast and investigating the exact cause.

(Photo: Provided by reader, Yonhap News)
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