Breaking News: Govt. looking into cause of dead fish

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Royal Gazette: September 15. 2009 01:56PM

Residents are being advised not to panic over the numbers of dead fish that have washed up on Bermuda’s shores in recent weeks.

Hundreds of e-mails have been circulated by persons concerned about the die-off, with many warning against eating local fish.

Government is to hold a press conference today, however Environmental Protection director Fred Ming told The Royal Gazette: “I think it would be wise not to eat any fish that looks like it is lethargic [unresponsive] or has lesions or any signs on the body of damage. Do not eat them because we don't know what's involved.”

Dr. Ming said people should be cautious, but there is no need to panic. At this point, he doesn't discourage anyone from swimming or fishing.

“We don’t know what is causing this and what we have done is assign a team of scientists, technicians and so forth representing the department, conservation services and BIOS. We have been out on one outing and we will send people out again in the next couple of days to look for signs of algae bloom.”

Algae bloom, a rapid increase in the amount of algae in the ocean, is characterised by discolouration of the water and can often become toxic to fish and other wildlife. However, warm water temperatures and poor water quality could also be the cause, explained Dr. Ming.

For the full story see tomorrow’s Royal Gazette.

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