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Thousands Of Fish Die in Ventura Harbor

VENTURA (AP) — Officials say thousands of anchovies and sardines have died in Ventura Harbor after using up all their oxygen.

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Pat Hummer of the Ventura Harbor Patrol says the fish died Monday, although they moved into the harbor a week ago.

Hummer says three patrol boats drove around scooping up dead fish before they started sinking and stinking. They filled up more than 20 50-gallon barrels throughout the day. The carcasses were dumped at sea.

In early March, 175 tons or 2.5 million sardines died in Redondo Beach after running out of oxygen.

Officials say they don't know why the fish entered the harbor, but they could have been chased by a sea lion, dolphin or strong tide.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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