Dead Fish Found At Shelly Bay Beach
Officials are monitoring conditions at Shelly Bay after a number of dead fish were found on the beach, and said that while they do not yet have a final cause, the fish do not have sores or marks so disease is not suspected, and low oxygen levels in the water are among the possible factors.
DENR Investigating Dead Fish At Shelly Bay
In response to our queries, a spokesperson told Bernews, “The Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR] is investigating dead fish at Shelly Bay and does not yet have a final cause. Most of the fish are redear herring [Harengula jaguana], known locally as pilchards. There is a resident school in the bay, which makes them more at risk when conditions change. Officers also saw one dead chub and two dead bream during a site visit on Monday, 8 June. The number of dead fish is unusual and shows that recent conditions in the bay were not normal.
Seaweed Turned Water Green-Brown As It Breaks Down, Process Can Lower Oxygen
“There has been a large amount of seaweed in the water and on the beach, washed into the bay by wind and currents. The seaweed has turned the water green-brown as it breaks down. This process can lower oxygen levels in the water. Fish need oxygen to live, so low levels can harm them. Warm weather can make this worse, and Shelly Bay is shallow, so it can heat up quickly. The dead fish do not have sores or marks, so disease is not suspected. Similar low-oxygen events can happen when large amounts of plant material break down or when water is warm. A similar die-off of pilchards at Shelly Bay was last seen in 2015.
Water Met Safety Standards For Swimming, More Tests Requested
“DENR has been speaking with the Department of Health, including the Environmental Health team, about water quality. The most recent test showed that the water met safety standards for swimming, and more tests have been requested. Environmental Health continues to monitor conditions through its weekly seawater sampling programme, testing for enterococci and E. coli. Results are published on the Government portal at www.gov.bm.
DENR Will Continue To Monitor The Situation
“DENR will continue to monitor the situation. While events like this are not common, they have happened before. The public is reminded that no-netting rules in this area help protect fish stocks, and there is no sign this event is linked to illegal fishing. DENR is working with other Government departments to ensure the area is cleaned safely and as soon as possible.”
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