Thread: Gulf Shores Fish Kill on the News

http://www2.wkrg.com/news/2012/may/2...es-ar-3873217/

I saw the dead LY in the water over the weekend, but never saw any wash ashore. I know I didnt smell anything. Any of you guys see this?

GULF SHORES, Alabama --
With temperatures hovering around 90 degrees heading to the water to cool off is natural. "We are lovin it," says Candy Jackson. "We got here at seven this morning and no telling what time we going home."

But for some families, on Memorial Day, it's more than that. "Out here paying respect to all the service men and women overseas serving for our country and freedom is not free," says Christine Murray.

Along with the sand and the surf, the suntan oil and the beach towels, the remembrance of what's important. "Spending time with our families and appreciating our service men and families," says Jeff Munger while building a sand castle with his son.

Along with the thousands of guests that came to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach this holiday weekend some unwanted guest washed ashore as well.

"It smells bad but we'll live through it." Dead fish began washing ashore over the weekend. Depleted oxygen levels in the water the likely cause. There are so many fish around Gulf State Pier they seem to form dark clouds under the water. When larger fish move through the school, it looks almost like a lava lamp. "They came coming in waves it looks like," says Ricky Long who had never seen a fish kill.

No worries for most beachgoers who are satisfied to enjoy one more day relaxing with family before heading back to reality. "Hanging out with the locals. Everybody's been friendly. It's been nice."

No official numbers on the unofficial kick off to the summer season but from all appearances it was very successful.

Cue the "It's the oil/dispersant" 'the sky is falling' contingent in 3... 2... 1... :

Ya know, I gotta admit I was a bit concerned last year when I saw the LY die-off was so HUGE.
But from the looks of the bait schools this year the spawn was quite successful!
Nature is a strange 'mutha' sometimes :-\

Didn't say wat species were washing up...at the rate in which people were catching skippies, I would't be surprized if there was a hight mortality with all the ones thrown back.

Nah. There were dead LYs all over the water Sat and Sun.