Yesterday (Dec 02) I took a short walk down from Tai Peng to the east coast of Lamma Island (Luk Chau Wan). I was horrified to discover the rocky beach there strewn with literally thousands of dead fish in varying states of decay. Most (but not all) appeared to be of the same species: a flat fish varying from about 6 to 8 inches in length and 4 to 5 inches from top to bottom. Perhaps the fact that they seem mostly to be of one species would indicate a disease, but my initial fear was that some toxin has been or is being released into the Lamma Channel.

Has anyone ever noticed this sort of situation before? After posting this I will contact HK Agriculture and Fisheries Dept.

Fish farms probably, maybe forgot to feed em

HaHa - maybe they have something to do with it. I've heard that fish farms can be breeding grounds for fish diseases that subsequently may spread into wild populations.

I've since done a little online research and found that 'fish kills' are not a terribly uncommon phenomena and that they often have to do with the spread of a bacteria, red tides or (perhaps more common in confined waters) to algal blooms.

Just to let you know, govt. crews are cleaning up all the dead fish and The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is investigating the cause of the 'fish kill'.

Any pictures?

Do you know if any of the big Sok Kwu Wan fish farms were afffected as well?

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didn't have my camera with me at the time. I don't know about the fish farms - if they have been affected I imagine a press release might show up here:
http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/publicat ... press.html