Between 500 and 800 lanternfish and squid were found dead or dying in the Nawiliwili Harbor area on Monday, prompting in investigation by state and federal officials into what caused the die-off.

The lanternfish and squid are typically found in the deep ocean, but are also known for their nightly vertical migrations to shallower depths, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said in a press release issued today.

DLNR’S Division of Aquatic Resources is asking for the public’s help to determine what happened.

The public is being asked to look for dead or dying marine life in large numbers on nearby beaches and report findings to the Eyes of the Reef Network at www.eorhawaii.org/make-a-report.