LOS ANGELES – State officials say a lack of oxygen caused the death of tens of thousands of fish after they likely sought shelter in a Southern California harbor.
Janice Mackey of the Department of Fish and Wildlife said Tuesday that scientists suspect the large school of anchovies may have sought cover from a predator on Saturday.
She said once in the Marina del Rey harbor, the fish depleted the water of oxygen.
Mackey says workers have removed 300 bags of fish weighing a total of more than six tons.
The dead anchovies and other fish including stingrays created a silvery blanket on the water's surface that set off a feeding frenzy among harbor seals, pelicans and seagulls.
Similar fish die-offs occurred in Ventura Harbor and at Redondo Beach in 2011.
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