An investigation at the Boyapadu Fish Landing Centre links mass fish deaths to a Trichodesmium algal bloom.
Approximately 11 metric tonnes of biomass were lost, primarily affecting the sensitive Leiognathus species.
Oxygen levels in the water fell below healthy thresholds, exacerbated by the decay of the algal bloom.
Local fishermen suspect industrial wastewater from nearby drug manufacturing plants may have worsened the impact.