FOSTER CITY, Calif. (KRON) – An alarming number of fish have been seen floating belly up all around the bay, including the waters along the Peninsula. It’s all due to a harmful algae bloom spreading rapidly across the bay.

Video shows hundreds of small dead fish at the Oakland Yacht Club. The organization says it’s seen all kinds of fish washing up, including striped bass, sturgeon and even sharks.

They’re reporting large-bodied or large numbers of dead fish in several Bay Area waters including at Lake Merritt, the Alameda Estuary, Oyster Point and Sausalito, among others.

These scientists also say it’s highly unusual to see these type of fish wash ashore. These massive fish kills we’re seeing is prompting environmental groups to suggest people and pets stay out of the water around the bay.

In an afternoon public meeting on Zoom, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said it was looking into the fish deaths that were first reported late last week in the SF Bay, Lake Merritt and surrounding areas. In the meeting, the agency said the fish deaths may be related to a harmful algal bloom called Heterosigma akashiwo, which was first observed in July in the Alameda/Oakland area.

A scientist with CDFW scientist said “the bloom is also capable of producing toxins which can be harmful to fish,” adding that “it’s unclear how toxic the bloom is.” The CDFW says it has crews of fisheries biologists in the area right now gathering information and will continue to monitor the situation.

While the agency could not provide an updated count on fish mortalities, it said reports suggest more than 100 striped bass and about a dozen sturgeon and mussel deaths.