Free lunch: Locals brought buckets to collect the surprise bounty of fish on beaches on the Tatar Strait.
Far Eastern Sardines, also known as iwashi, were swept onto the Sakhalin coastline. Picture: Aleksander Kochetkov
Pictures and videos showed the unusual phenomenon as the Far Eastern Sardines, also known as iwashi, were swept onto the coastline. Beaches were literally carpeted with sardines.
Fish expert Nikolay Kim said the weather conditions had caused 'strong daily fluctuations' in water temperature. 'In the afternoon it is warm, but at night the temperature falls sharply,' he said. 'The sardines cannot withstand such fluctuations and can be found in a large number on the shore.'
The unusual phenomeon occured in the southern part of Tatar Strait, in Uglegorsk district. Picture: The Siberian Times
In such conditions, the fish become inactive - and are swept ashore by waves. These sardines are found in in subtropical waters but in early summer migrate to the south-west coast of Sakhalin for fattening, staying until mid-October.
News agency Interfax - Far East reported that water in the southern part of the Tatar Strait warmed to 20C, but a recent cyclone led to a sharp decrease in its temperature.
For locals it was a bonanza, and a free lunch. Experts say the fish are edible.
Beaches were literally carpeted with sardines. Pictures: @ulianaol, Aleksander Kochetkov
Archeologists discovered a new stone bracelet, two sharp pins, a marble ring and fox tooth pendants.
Comments (2)
Our climate is changing day by day.
GOD bless our Planet.