Tens of thousands of dead fish wash up in New York bay

Dead fish: Tens of thousands of dead fish washed in Shinnehock Bay on Monday
ABC News
Fiona Simpson16 November 2016

Tens of thousands of dead fish have washed up in a bay in New York.

The grim discovery sparked an investigation by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation.

Experts believe the bait fish, including Atlantic menhaden, were chased into Shinnehock Bay in Long Island by predators, ABC News reported.

They are thought to have become trapped in the gates of a canal when they were closed around 3am on Monday, before succumbing to “a lack of dissolved oxygen and the high density of fish”.

The fish washed ashore when the gates were reopened around 10am, causing a stink with locals.

Jerry Ippolito, who lives in Hampton Bays, told WABC. "I don’t remember any day or any time like this. This is the worst.”

Water samples have been collected from the bay as a precaution.

Results for tests including pathogens, nutrients and pesticides are due to be returned by the end of the month.

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