Biosecurity Queensland regional manager Rebecca Yarrow informed that until recently it seemed a part of the mystery was that only Queensland gropers (Epinephelus lanceolatus) of a certain size, about 105-120kg, were dying apparently from septicaemia. She also said that the two extremely decomposed dead fish found around Cairns in the past week appeared to be gold-spot groupers (Epinephelus coioides).
Queensland Groper Mortality Investigation Task Force said that it is necessary to check the possibility other species are not being affected. It is said that the public should be more alert and keep an eye out for any species of fish that may have washed up dead on beaches and estuary banks as it may reveal some vital clues about the fate of the dead Queensland gropers.
According to Yarrow the samples of the dead gropers have been sent to the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) laboratories in Townsville for analysis. It is said that septicaemia (blood poisoning) was found in four Queensland gropers, but DPI&F was far unable to establish the primary cause of this condition.
