California Marina carpeted with one million dead sardines

King Harbor Marina in Redondo Beach near Los Angeles has been the scene of a rather grim natural disaster

The remains of an estimated one million sardines have washed up in a California marina in what scientists are describing as a “very rare, naturally occurring event.”

Around 1400 boats are moored in King Harbor Marina, 16km south-west of Los Angeles, and according to the BBC’s Rajesh Mirchandani, in some places the water is so “carpeted” with dead fish that boats are unable to leave.

Scientists believe that fish came into the marina yesterday to seek shelter from strong winds

but that as there were so many of them they used up all the oxygen in

the water.

It is thought the fish carcasses will now be removed and taken to a landfill site where they will be turned into fertiliser.

SEE FOOTAGE on the BBC’s website.

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