UPDATE: Thousands of dead fish on Folly Beach, clean up continues

Thousands of dead fish washed up on Folly Beach. City officials tell News 2 the first report of the fish came in just before dark on Wednesday.

By: Larry Collins | CountOn2.com , Raymond Owens | CountOn2.com
Published: January 07, 2011
Updated: January 07, 2011 - 6:54 PM

Thousands of dead fish washed up on Folly Beach. City officials tell News 2 the first report of the fish came in just before dark on Wednesday.

Mark Williams with the Department of Health and Environmental Control assessed the fish. He says he found them in a line from about 3rd Ave. East to 5th Ave. West. Williams says the fish are Menhaden fish, a commons small bait fish.

Williams says this appears to be a temperature-related fish kill. Charleston County Park officials told Williams that the water temperature was about 48-51 degrees. Williams says the fish can die when the water gets too cold.

Williams says the fact that no other species of fish or other sea animal were impacted appears to rule out other causes.

Right now, Williams says there are no health issues related to the fish, and he doesn't expect any in the future from these fish.

Steve Robinson, the Folly Beach Director of Public Works tells News 2 that they hope most of the fish are washed away with the tides. If that does not happen, and a strong odor begins to develop, the City plans to use a special rake to sweep the fish from the beach.

UPDATE: Thousands of dead fish on Folly Beach, clean up continues

Share This:

More from this channel:

Reader Comments

Deal of the Day

More Ways to Connect

In the Neighborhood

Links We Like