A lot of fish have died following poor event planning before the Cairns triathlon. The organiser strung jellyfish nets across the Marlin Marina in cairns as a part of the event planning for the triathlon Authorities decided to leave the nets in during the night but forgot about the tide. Large schools of fish were caught in the net and when the tide rolled out the fish ended up above water and died. The nets were placed to prevent swimmers from being stung by jellyfish.
Event organisers and the Department of Fisheries and Primary Industries last night defended the event planning and use of the nets and said it was an “unusual” accident. The net was approved by DPIF and marine parks is of the same type the use around beaches to protect beach goers against jellyfish. DPIF is going to investigate the accident.
Officials also defended not taking down the nets immediately after the fish kill was discovered.
One of the involved believes the fish were chased into the net by a predator.
Paul Johnston, a local boat owner was shocked by the scene. He seem to have less faith in the event planners and says that “There will be another low tide and it’s all going to happen again”
Video from the accident