Hundreds of paua washed up on the beach near Kaka Point at the weekend were likely the victims of fresh water and wind combining.
Department of Conservation Owaka ranger Cheryl Pullar said paua had been known to wash up in the same spot at Molyneux Bay in the past, most recently three years ago.
The phenomenon was usually caused by a "thresh'' of fresh water coming down from the Clutha River into the sea at Molyneux Bay.
Paua, being marine creatures, released themselves from their rocks if there was too much fresh water, she said.
A lot of rain in the past few weeks was likely the cause of the influx of fresh water, and when an easterly storm happened, the free-floating paua were washed on shore.
Fisherman and paua diver Peter White said he had seen it before, and agreed the easterly storm likely blew the paua on shore.
Most of the flesh was gone by the time the Otago Daily Times visited the bay yesterday but the shells remained.
