Sussex fish kill may be Pfiesteria
The News Journal
July 11, 2000By Molly Murray
Sussex Bureau reporterDAGSBORO - State officials on Monday advised residents to avoid contact with water in Pepper Creek after they found an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 dead fish - some with sores.
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control workers took water samples Monday because they were concerned the fish kill may be linked to the microbe Pfiesteria piscicida.
All the dead fish were menhaden, and about 20 of 400 pulled from the water had lesions, state Pfiesteria program manager Edythe Humphries said. The remainder appeared to have puncture marks.
Results in 24 to 86 hours should tell state officials whether Pfiesteria is present. Tests to determine whether the microbe is toxic take 18 weeks, Humphries said.
Fish with sores turned up in Pepper Creek and the upper Indian River in late June, prompting state officials to advise people not to eat them. But the fish were not dying, and no signs of Pfiesteria were found.
News of Monday's kill came just as officials got reassurances that Pfiesteria was not linked to a menhaden kill Thursday in Bald Eagle Creek and Torguay Canal at the north end of Rehoboth Bay.
But the Pepper Creek kill renewed concern.
Some researchers say Pfiesteria can cause human neurological problems and skin sores.
Leroy Hathcock, the state epidemiologist, said boating is fine, but not swimming or water skiing. The advisory does not extend into nearby Vines Creek or Indian River and Bay, he said.
Along Pepper Creek on Monday, the water was mahogany - a sign that the water was loaded with microscopic algae, Humphries said.