Plea for public's help in solving cause of fish deaths

A task force set up to investigate why dead fish washed up on Bermuda’s beaches last summer has asked the public to help find out what caused the mass of marine deaths.

The Fish Kill Task Force is urging people to record when and where they come across dead fish or other animals on the coast.

Environmentalists also want to find out details of the number, species type and condition of the creatures.

The Fish Kill Task Force was formed after the island experienced its worst fish kill in recent memory during August and September 2009.

The Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Conservation Services, the Department of Health and scientists from the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences were all involved in the effort to establish the cause of the fish deaths.

Kills

Dr. Fred Ming, director of Environmental Protection, said: “The fish kill last summer was an extreme event.

“Fish kills happen quite often all over the world and in Bermuda but are usually small, local occurrences.”

Dr. Ming called on members of the public to help scientists discover the cause of the fish kill.

He said: “We are only a handful of people trying to ascertain what is happening within our ecosystem and the public’s assistance will be invaluable in helping us gain a clearer picture of these types of events.”

Dr. Ming warned people who come across sick or dying fish showing obvious signs of distress not to take and eat the fish.

To report fish kills, call 705-FISH or e-mail [email protected].