The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has explained the mullet and jellyfish wash-up observed at Walvis Bay lagoon area, Swakopmund Mole and on the beaches between the two coastal towns. The ministry said weakened south-westerly winds led to local warming of the water and the intrusion of oceanic water, which are favourable for algal blooms (phytoplankton). This led to low oxygen conditions trapping the fish in the lagoon and along the coast, causing them to die and wash out when the water level dropped during low tide. The ministry is busy conducting water analysis to identify the phytoplankton species present in the Walvis Bay lagoon and harbour areas to determine whether they are toxic or not. The public is therefore cautioned against consuming the washed-out mullets.