Fish kills are very visible, with high levels of public scrutiny and major effects on populations. In 2018–19, extensive fish kills in the lower Darling River, south-eastern Australia, resulted in the deaths of millions of fish, including threatened and popular, iconic angling and important cultural species. This distressed local communities and the broader Australian society, who questioned the competence of fish and water management. Fish kills are increasing in frequency and severity, exacerbated by climate change. This paper reports on eight major fish-kill case studies across the Murray–Darling Basin that were examined to assess management adequacy. Field assessments and reporting have been poor, not documenting all species or numbers affected. Few values of fishes (cultural, conservation, recreational, social, ecological, economic) have been assessed and replacement or management costs not determined. There is a need to philosophically change our approach to take fish kills more seriously. More comprehensive approaches to assessment, evaluation and management are needed. Responsibilities for fish kills should be clarified and include water and habitat management agencies. Post-kill recovery plans that include the replacement of lost ecological assets should be published and enacted. This paper provides a fresh perspective on fish kills, with 15 key recommendations applicable to improve future management worldwide.

鱼类死亡非常明显，受到高度公众监督，并对人口产生重大影响。2018-19 年，澳大利亚东南部达令河下游的大量鱼类死亡导致数百万鱼类死亡，其中包括受威胁和流行的标志性垂钓物种和重要的文化物种。这让当地社区和更广泛的澳大利亚社会感到苦恼，他们质疑鱼类和水资源管理的能力。鱼类死亡的频率和严重程度正在增加，气候变化加剧了这种情况。本文报告了整个墨累-达令盆地的八个主要鱼类杀戮案例研究，这些案例研究旨在评估管理的充分性。实地评估和报告很差，没有记录所有受影响的物种或数量。鱼类的价值很少（文化、保护、娱乐、社会、生态、经济）已被评估，更换或管理成本尚未确定。有必要从哲学上改变我们更认真地对待鱼类死亡的方法。需要更全面的评估、评价和管理方法。应明确鱼类死亡的责任，包括水和栖息地管理机构。应公布和颁布包括更换丢失的生态资产在内的杀戮后恢复计划。本文提供了关于鱼类死亡的全新视角，并提出了 15 条适用于改进全球未来管理的关键建议。应明确鱼类死亡的责任，包括水和栖息地管理机构。应公布和颁布包括更换丢失的生态资产在内的杀戮后恢复计划。本文提供了关于鱼类死亡的全新视角，并提出了 15 条适用于改进全球未来管理的关键建议。应明确鱼类死亡的责任，包括水和栖息地管理机构。应公布和颁布包括更换丢失的生态资产在内的杀戮后恢复计划。本文提供了关于鱼类死亡的全新视角，并提出了 15 条适用于改进全球未来管理的关键建议。