Viral footage circulating on social media shows locals combing through piles of fish that washed up on Jimbaran Beach along with debris. Some residents are seen trying to rescue the ones still alive, hoping to take them home and cook them.
The fish in question is Sardinella lemuru, a commercially valuable species widely caught in Indonesia. It is commonly sold by fishermen at the Jimbaran fish market. Large schools of these fish typically gather near the coast, staying close to the water’s surface. They also migrate to spawn near Bali’s shores during the rainy season, peaking between December and January.
The sight of so much valuable fish washed ashore shocked social media users, sparking speculation in the comments. Some suggested a virus outbreak or even an impending natural disaster as possible causes. However, environmental experts dismissed these fears, explaining that this phenomenon occurs every year—usually in the early morning hours at the start of the year.
Moreover, they noted that this year’s situation is less severe compared to previous years. Local fishermen had proactively caught a significant portion of the fish before they could wash up onshore and become inedible.
Despite its annual occurrence, scientists still don’t have a definitive explanation for the mass fish deaths. The leading theory is that strong ocean currents intensify during the rainy season, disorienting the fish and pushing them toward the shore. Additionally, marine debris may contribute by forcing the small fish closer to land. However, experts dismiss the virus theory and also do not believe this event signals an upcoming natural disaster.
Most likely, within a couple of weeks, dead fish will no longer be found along Jimbaran Beach. This phenomenon usually resolves itself by Chinese New Year.
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