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August 29, 2000
Vol. 30, No. 270
For more information, contact Melinda Carl, Office of Information and
Education, 302-739-4506
Numbers Increase at Bald Eagle Creek and Torquay Canal
Fish Kill;
Pepper Creek is Site of Additional Fish Kill
The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has
revised the number of juvenile menhaden killed at Bald Eagle Creek and
Torquay Canal to approximately 1 million. Estimates of menhaden killed
yesterday at Pepper Creek are up to 100,000.
Low dissolved oxygen is suspected as the cause of both fish kills,
and the present inclement weather and low dissolved oxygen levels in
these water bodies could result in additional kills of juvenile menhaden.
Yesterday, field staff estimated the number of menhaden killed at
Bald Eagle Creek and Torquay Canal at approximately 100,000. The menhaden
were still dying when staff left the area yesterday, and an apparent
reoccurring kill continued overnight with schooling menhaden. Today,
estimates from the site rose to approximately 1 million dead juvenile
menhaden approximately 3 to 6 inches in size, the same size range observed
at the site yesterday.
An additional kill of an estimated 100,000 juvenile menhaden, 2-inches
in size, occurred yesterday at Pepper Creek, site of earlier fish kills
of varying numbers on
July 10, July 23, July 27, and Aug. 24.
No lesions were observed on the fish today at either Pepper Creek or
Bald Eagle Creek and Torquay Canal. Water samples are being sent for
Pfiesteria DNA testing as a precaution.
The public is asked 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.
A report on this summer’s fish kills in the Inland Bays, "Summary
of Findings and Conclusions, Summer 2000 Fish Kills - Inland Bays,"
can be found on the Department’s web site at . The report is accessible
through the home page under the heading, "What’s New."
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