July 27, 2000
Vol. 30, No. 231

For more information, contact Melinda Carl, Information and Education, 302-739-4506

Large Menhaden Fish Kill Discovered in Dead End Lagoon at Indian River Acres No Lesions on Fish

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is investigating a large fish kill of approximately 2 million menhaden in a dead end canal at Indian River Acres. Indian River Acres is a development located near the mouth of Pepper Creek on the south side of Indian River.

DNREC field staff reported that no lesions were found on the dead fish. The menhaden were very small, 1 to 2 inches in size, most likely from the spring spawn.

The Department has consistently expressed concerns about the impact of dead end lagoons on aquatic life.

According to William Moyer, manager of DNREC’s Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands Section, “Artifically created waterways that were dredged to depths deeper than the water body into which they discharge continue to be sources of poor water quality due to the lack of adequate circulation.”

Water samples and fish were collected at the site for testing and examination. The Department has not ruled out low dissolved oxygen as a primary contributor to the fish kill.

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Document no. 40-01/00/07/28

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