Thousands of Dead Fish, Wash Ashore Creating, 'Horrific' Smell.
'Newsweek' reports that thousands of dead fish have washed up on a beach in Staten Island, resulting in an intense smell and concerns from local residents.
Thousands of dead fish have accumulated
and begun to rot in the waters and shores
of Lemon Creek Park, Staten Island.
Now, some resident have been
forced to stay indoors in order to
avoid the overpowering stench outside.
The smell is horrific. You can't
even go outside. And I don't know
if it's dangerous to breathe it in
or not, but we're not going outside, John Mastellone, Lemon Creek Park resident, via SILive.
According to 'Newsweek,' fish meat contains a chemical called trimethylamine oxide, which is responsible for the characteristic rotten fish smell.
'Newsweek' reports that this isn't
the first time massive amounts of dead
fish have washed ashore in Staten Island.
'Newsweek' reports that this isn't
the first time massive amounts of dead
fish have washed ashore in Staten Island.
In 2021, an influx of dead
Atlantic menhaden, or bunker fish,
washed up near Great Kills Park.
In 2017, Wolfe's Pond Park
and Lemon Creek also saw a huge number
of dead bunker fish was ashore.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) suggested the reason
for the 2021 event was a type of Vibrio bacteria. .
For reasons not understood at this time,
[menhaden] may be particularly susceptible
to infection from this bacterium, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection,
2021 statement, via 'Newsweek'.
The DEP is investigating whether fluctuating
water temperatures, altered menhaden
migration patterns or other stressors
are contributing factors, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection,
2021 statement, via 'Newsweek'