Mass fish deaths at Folly (Beach, SC)

[deminks]

http://www.abcnews4.com/Global/story.asp?S=13794888

FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) -- A nationwide scare involving mass deaths of fish and birds has now hit ground locally.

A giant fish kill has occurred at Folly Beach, and according to a report by The Post and Courier, one standing at the end of the pier can see a seemingly never ending line of dead fish in both directions.

Officials with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have confirmed that thousands of dead fish washed ashore behind the former Holiday Inn at Folly Beach and say the fish are all of the same species -- Menhaden.

Thursday morning's discovery on Folly Beach adds to a nationwide mystery involving similar occurrences of mass fish and bird deaths.

(end snip)

Officials also feel this kill to be cold temperatures-related.

[Lochloosa]

1. Menhaden are extremely cold sensitive. They school in huge pods so this is not surprising.

We also call them Pogies or "bait" in Florida.

[Uben]

2. Several species are sensitive to rapid temp changes

We had several hundred gizzard shad die here a couple of years ago for the same reason.