VIDEO: Dead fish surface in Marina Del Rey

MARINA DEL REY, Calif. (KABC) -- Massive cleanup efforts are underway after thousands of dead fish were found floating in Marina Del Rey Saturday afternoon, near Ballona Creek.

Anchovies, stingrays, halibut, sunfish and an octopus were among the thousands of dead fish that rose to the surface at Basin A of the marina near Bora Bora Way, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Why the fish washed ashore remains unknown, but the phenomenon allegedly happens once or twice a year. A deputy at the sheriff's Marina Del Rey station said it "probably had something to do with the eco-system."

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife were called in to clean up the fish. Residents said the stench was overpowering.

Similar incidents have occurred in Redondo Beach and the Ventura Harbor in the past. In those instances, the piles of dead fish were attributed to oxygen deprivation, and later used as fertilizer.

A nearby resident, who is also a fisherman, collected a few anchovies to use as bait on an upcoming fishing trip.

CNS contributed to this report.