Monterey Harbormaster deploys aerators to prevent mackerel die off

The Monterey Harbormaster sent a camera down underwater in the Monterey Marina Wednesday afternoon and captured video of large schools of fish.

The Harbormaster said 15 commercial grade aerators were deployed Tuesday afternoon. They were strategically placed in the marina to keep the fish oxygenated.

Experts said schools of bait fish including mackerel and sardines are being pushed into the marina because of the warm water conditions.

Right now there’s a large amount of fish close to shore. So people can be seen fishing off the wharf.

The Harbormaster said the Monterey Bay is going through a slack tide period, but that will change within the next few days.

Commercial fishermen are fishing the mackerel but of course aren’t fishing the Sardines because the fishery is closed.