TITLE: Thousands of Fish Die in Stream on Md. Eastern Shore
COLUMN: AROUND THE REGION
CREDIT: From News Services
EST. PAGES: 1
DATE: 08/07/97
DOCID: WP1110759
SOURCE: The Washington Post; WP
EDITION: FINAL; SECTION: METRO; PAGE: B07
CATEGORY: NEWS MARYLAND
(Copyright 1997)
Thousands of fish died yesterday near the mouth of the
Pocomoke River on Maryland's Eastern Shore, and health officials
urged people to stay out of the water and throw back fish that
have lesions caught along a three-mile section of the river --
a step endorsed last night by Gov. Parris N. Glendening.
Between 2,000 and 10,000 aquatic animals of all kinds,
including blue crabs, died in a half-mile section of the river
near William Point, according to a state Department of Natural
Resources estimate. Watermen fear the loss was much higher.
Somerset County Health Officer Curtis Dickson issued an
advisory against entering the section of the river until at least
8 a.m. tomorrow. The section is from Cedar Hall Wharf two miles
above Shelltown to William Point about a mile below the city.
Glendening endorsed the decision last night. "He believes
it is in the best interest of the citizens in this area to take
this action," gubernatorial spokesman Ray Feldmann said.
He said Glendening spoke yesterday with Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski
(D-Md.) and urged greater federal involvement in studying the
fish lesion problem.
So far 10 people -- eight watermen and two swimmers --
have reported health problems thought to be associated with the
water. One of them reported yesterday having lesions, Dickson
said.
The health advisory was made after conferring with Natural
Resources Secretary John Griffin and Health and Mental Hygiene
Secretary Martin Wasserman. Officials called the advisory a precaution
and said people would not be prohibited from entering the water.
State officials have taken samples of the water to determine
whether the kill was caused by a toxin called Pfiesteria piscicida.
The so-called cell from hell has killed a billion fish in North
Carolina.
REGION: MD US; MARYLAND; UNITED STATES
DESCRIPTORS: Fish; Animal diseases; Rivers, streams, etc.; Maryland;
Investigations and probes
ORGANIZATION: Pocomoke River
INDUSTRY: FOOD
OTHER TERMS: @Slug: B07TH