Cause of Gold Coast mass fish kill unknown with marine heatwave most likely culprit, scientists say

Thousands of dead fish have washed ashore on the Gold Coast, with high water temperatures believed to be the most probable cause. Photograph: Save Our Southern Gold Coast/Kath Down

Queensland authorities are investigating the deaths of thousands of fish that washed up on a popular Gold Coast beach.

The state environment department said dead baitfish had been observed at The Spit, at the northern end of the Gold Coast since last Wednesday, but no obvious source of pollution had been found.