Thousands of fish die in cyclone-hit northern rivers amid reports of eels and crabs fleeing ‘blackwater’

Charity OzFish said it had received ‘numerous’ reports from members of the public of the fish kill along the Richmond River at Ballina. Photograph: Ozfish

Thousands of dead fish have washed ashore along the Richmond River at Ballina in northern New South Wales, after flooding in the region from ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, according to fish habitat charity OzFish.

The group said it has received “numerous” reports from members of the public of the fish kill, including photographs and messages showing “fish gasping for air, or washing up dead”.