Louisiana State authorities say massive fish kill in Mississippi waters likely caused by oil contamination and low oxygen levels
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Pastor Dale Morgan
Aug 23, 2010, 11:41:39 PM8/23/10
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Perilous Times
Louisiana State authorities say massive fish kill in Mississippi waters likely caused by oil contamination and low oxygen levels
Published: Monday, August 23, 2010, 5:25 PM Updated: Monday, August 23, 2010, 8:45 PM
Bob Warren, The Times-Picayune
St. Bernard Parish authorities have reported a large fish kill at the mouth of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, but state wildlife officials say it does not appear to be directly related to oil from the BP leak.
Randy Pausina, head fisheries biologist for the state, said Department of Wildlife and Fisheries workers are investigating the fish kill and that the initial conclusion is that it was caused by low levels of oxygen in the water.
Pausina said extreme heat can cause areas of low oxygen, especially when coupled with nutrient-rich water coming from the Mississippi River. The state opened several river diversion structures to help keep oil from penetrating the state's wetlands.
The fish were found Sunday afternoon, floating near boom that had been deployed in the area to catch oil from the BP oil leak, and washed up on the shoreline, St. Bernard Parish government said in a news release.
"By our estimates there were thousands, and I'm talking about 15,000 + dead fish. Different species were found dead including crabs, sting rays, eel, drum, speckled trout, red fish, you name it, included in that kill," St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro said.
Taffaro said there was oil in the area, but said it could not be determined at this point if it factored into the fish kill.
"We don't want to jump to any conclusions because we've had some oxygen issues by the Bayou La Loutre Dam from time to time,'' he said in the news release.
Nonetheless, Taffaro said, "It does point to the need for us to continue to monitor our waters and that's what we'll be doing."
A a thick, orange substance with tar balls and a "strong diesel smell'' was located Monday morning around Grassy Island, the news release said. Skimmers were dispatched to the area.
Louisiana State authorities say massive fish kill in Mississippi waters likely caused by oil contamination and low oxygen levels
Published: Monday, August 23, 2010, 5:25 PM Updated: Monday, August 23, 2010, 8:45 PM
Bob Warren, The Times-Picayune
St. Bernard Parish authorities have reported a large fish kill at the mouth of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, but state wildlife officials say it does not appear to be directly related to oil from the BP leak.
Randy Pausina, head fisheries biologist for the state, said Department of Wildlife and Fisheries workers are investigating the fish kill and that the initial conclusion is that it was caused by low levels of oxygen in the water.
Pausina said extreme heat can cause areas of low oxygen, especially when coupled with nutrient-rich water coming from the Mississippi River. The state opened several river diversion structures to help keep oil from penetrating the state's wetlands.
The fish were found Sunday afternoon, floating near boom that had been deployed in the area to catch oil from the BP oil leak, and washed up on the shoreline, St. Bernard Parish government said in a news release.
"By our estimates there were thousands, and I'm talking about 15,000 + dead fish. Different species were found dead including crabs, sting rays, eel, drum, speckled trout, red fish, you name it, included in that kill," St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro said.
Taffaro said there was oil in the area, but said it could not be determined at this point if it factored into the fish kill.
"We don't want to jump to any conclusions because we've had some oxygen issues by the Bayou La Loutre Dam from time to time,'' he said in the news release.
Nonetheless, Taffaro said, "It does point to the need for us to continue to monitor our waters and that's what we'll be doing."
A a thick, orange substance with tar balls and a "strong diesel smell'' was located Monday morning around Grassy Island, the news release said. Skimmers were dispatched to the area.
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