DNREC News

August 28, 2000
Vol. 30, No. 267

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

Another Fish Kill Discovered at Bald Eagle Creek and Torquay Canal at Head of Rehoboth Bay

Low Dissolved Oxygen Again Suspected Cause

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is investigating a fish kill reported this morning of approximately 100,000 juvenile menhaden at Bald Eagle Creek and Torquay Canal, site of an approximately 1 million juvenile menhaden fish kill on July 6, and a second reported kill on Aug. 13 with an unknown fish count.

Torquay Canal is a deeply dug, circular boat lagoon situated about two-thirds of the way upstream from the mouth of Bald Eagle Creek, located at the head of Rehoboth Bay. Lagoon systems are known to have low dissolved oxygen levels due to their lack of circulation.

According to Roy Miller, fisheries program manager with DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, low dissolved oxygen is suspected as the cause of the kill based on readings taken at mid-day. Miller said the menhaden were 3 to 6 inches in size, which is consistent with the size affected in the majority of fish kills in the Inland Bays this summer.

Water samples were collected at the site and will be sent for Pfiesteria DNA testing as a precaution. The lesion rate was less than one percent.

Based on observations and information gathered at the site today, DNREC is not issuing an advisory, but is asking people to use common sense and avoid swimming or other water-contact sports in areas with dead or dying fish or where the water is discolored (milky or mahogany-colored). Anyone observing dead or dying fish is asked to call DNREC’s environmental hotline at 1-800-662-8802.

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Document no. 40-01/00/08/36

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