Another mass fish death in NSW as investigation ordered into first case

Thousands of fish have been found dead on the banks of NSW's Lake Inverell almost 900 kilometres from where an estimated million fish died earlier this month.

Thousands of juvenile fish were found washed up on the banks of the Lake on 21/1/19. Source: NSW Department of Primary Industries

Thousands of fish have died in another mass fish kill event in NSW, the state government says.

The fish, mostly juveniles between two and 10-centimetres in length, were found washed up on the banks of Lake Inverell on the Macintyre River on Monday, the primary industries department said in a statement on Tuesday.

Golden perch, Murray cod, eel-tailed catfish, carp, gudgeon and freshwater shrimp are among the species affected almost 900km from an earlier mass death event at Menindee.

Fisheries officers are inspecting Lake Inverell amid reports larger fish have died upstream.

An estimated million fish died in the Darling River at Menindee in early January sparking a national debate over the use of Murray-Darling basin resources including allegations of water mismanagement.

Federal government orders review into first mass fish deaths

A mass fish kill in NSW will be examined by a water and climate expert, as part of the federal government's efforts to understand the ecological disaster.

Water Minister David Littleproud launched the review on Tuesday, with the probe to look at why the fish died and how future deaths can be avoided within the parameters of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

"It's important that we get an understanding of those fish kills," Mr Littleproud told reporters in Toowoomba.

Professor Rob Vertessy will pick the other members of the panel looking into the mass fish deaths on the Darling River at Menindee in western NSW.

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority on Tuesday welcomed the independent assessment and said it will also prepare its own report for the minister containing recommendations.

Authority chief executive Phillip Glyde said more fish deaths are likely before the drought breaks, identifying the areas on high alert as the Lower Darling, Barwon-Darling, Namoi, Lower Murrumbidgee, Mannus Creek and Lake Inverell.

"At these and other sites, on advice from experts, governments are using aerators, releasing water where it is available, relocating fish to other habitats, and closely monitoring water quality including through satellite imagery," Mr Glyde said in a statement.