hundreds of fish being washed up on the Bermuda coastline.

On Monday dozens of dead fish, featuring numerous breeds, were spotted floating on the sea surface along the north coast.

And scientists believe the sudden and dramatic arrival of wintry conditions at the weekend after a mild January probably killed the fish.

Tim Pedro was one of many beachcombers who witnessed the cull.

Mr. Pedro, who works at the Island Quarry on Coney Island Road, said: "Because of the bad weather I went down to make sure the boats were OK and I just looked out and saw all these fish floating around and washed up on the shore. I collected close to about 40 fish -- there were all different kinds.'' Yesterday Aquarium and Museum curator Jack Ward explained that Sunday's atrocious weather was to blame for the massacre.

"It's really difficult to find out why a fish kill occurred but the first thing you ask is what is the quality of the water like,'' Mr. Ward said. "We know that the weather was horrific and the sea was incredibly stirred up.

"We are confident that this was a direct result of the dramatically severe weather conditions.''