Archive
Birds fall dead from the sky on Aden Road in Nokesville December 19, 2013
Clues Sought for Sea Star Die-Off
Dermasterias imbricata: Biologists are searching for the cause of a mysterious and unprecedented die-off of sea stars along the Pacific coast of North America. Image: Ed Bierman/Flickr
In their waterproof orange overalls, Hannah Perlkin and Emily Tucker look like commercial fishermen or storm-ready sailors. But they are biologists on their way to tide pools along a remote stretch of northern California coast. There they are searching for the cause of a mysterious and unprecedented die-off of sea stars along North America’s Pacific shores.
The syndrome took marine scientists by surprise this summer, when sick and dying sea stars — also known as starfish — appeared in a host of locations between Alaska and southern California. Predatory species were the first to succumb, but now the mysterious ailment is appearing in species once thought to be resistant to its effects.
The progression is predictable: white lesions appear on an animal and become infected. Within hours or days the sea star becomes limp, and its arms may fall off. Necrosis Read more…
As Dolphin Deaths Rise, U.S. Declares ‘Unusual Mortality Event’
huffingtonpost.com
NEW YORK, Aug 8 (Reuters) – Federal scientists investigating an unusually high number of dead bottlenose dolphins washing up on the East Coast said on Thursday the carcasses are showing up at a rate that is seven times higher than usual.
More than 120 dead animals have been discovered since June from New Jersey to Virginia, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service said.
Federal scientists have declared it an “unusual mortality event” and are investigating the cause, said Maggie Mooney-Seus of NOAA Fisheries.
A number of things can cause dolphins to strand, including harmful algal blooms, infectious viruses, injuries due to ship strikes, pollutants and Read more…
Thousands of dead fish wash ashore in Pawleys Island
PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC (WMBF) When you go to the beach you don’t expect to find hundreds of dead fish covering the shore.
Pawleys Island isn’t the first place this week to see the dead Menhaden fish on their shores. DeBordieu Beach had the same issue the day before, according to Chief Michael Fanning of the Pawleys Island Police Department.
Events like this happen from time to time, last year an influx of Star Fish were found on the same beaches, Fanning said.
It may be confusing to the people who live nearby, but Fanning says the state is looking into what may have killed the fish.
Department of Health and Full Article Here
Thousands of Lowood catfish die
The department of heritage and environment are investigating the death of hundreds of fish in the Brisbane River at Lowood.
DEAD and bloated catfish are washing up on the banks of the Brisbane River in their thousands, leaving scientists searching for an explanation.
SeqWater officers were seen scouring the banks of the river just outside the centre of Lowood yesterday, where scaly bodies were scattered along rocky sections of the bank or bobbing belly-up in the steady current.
It is believed hundreds of fish were found dead last week and more were counted yesterday – totalling in the thousands.
The dead fish were found as far upstream as the Lockyer Creek.
Only catfish seem to have been affected, leading to speculation that a virus may be sweeping through fish populations in the river.
Department of Environment and Heritage Protection executive director Andrew Connor said there would be no explanation for the fish Read more…
1,200 dead pelicans wash ashore on beach in Peru
A child looks on as a dead pelican lies on Cerro Azul beach in Canete, Lima May 6, 2012.
Credit: Reuters/Mariana Bazo
It’s that time of year again, that time being whenever it is that unexplained mass animal deaths occur.
Wildlife experts were at a loss in early 2011 to explain the mass bird and fish deaths that seemed to occur with alarming regularity, prompting religious fanatics to proclaim the end of days were upon us. Since that time, many of these phenomena have been explained as effects of bad weather or a reaction to a New Year’s Eve fireworks.
No official word has yet been offered for Read more…
More than hundred dolphins beached in Cape Cod baffle scientists
Animal rescuers are working to save more than a hundred common dolphins beached off Cape Cod, Mass., since January 12. Marine scientists have been unable to explain the recent pattern of dolphins being washed ashore.
New Zealand: 36 pilot whales die after stranding (Video)
A group of more than 90 pilot whales were beached on a spit on New Zealand’s South Island on Monday. Thirty-six of the whales had died by Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.
A final attempt to refloat the whales will be made during high tide today.
According to the Australian Associated Press, the pod has repeatedly been stranded on the spit, in Golden Bay on New Zealand’s South Island.
“We tried to refloat the other 40 and they simply wouldn’t move. We tried pushing them out to sea, and they just wouldn’t go,” said the Department of Conservation’s area manager John Mason to the New Zealand Herald.
Close to 50 volunteers are helping the rescue efforts with people traveling from as far as Australia, Auckland and Invercargill to participate. The volunteers were working three to a whale and were Read more…
Swan River Trust searches for cause of fish deaths
MYSTERY:Swan River Trust is investigating the deaths of thousands of fish in the upper reaches of the river. Picture: Richard Hatherly Source: PerthNow
AUTHORITIES are investigating the deaths of thousands of fish in the Swan River.
River users reported finding about 5000 dead fish in the upper reaches of the river during the weekend.
Swan River Trust river systems manager Mark Cugley said officers were investigating the extent of the kill and what had caused it.
“The Trust was notified by the public on the weekend that a number of fish were seen floating in the water between Middle Swan bridge and the Ellen Brook confluence,” Mr Cugley said.
“Most of the fish appear to be juvenile black bream with the remainder being trumpeter.”
Mr Cugley said monitoring results had shown there were Read more…
Big fish-kill on Bandon
DEREK EVANS
A SIGNIFICANT fish-kill was discovered in the River Bandon in Cork after a member of the public alerted staff of Inland Fisheries Ireland.
More than 350 salmon and trout were found dead over a one-mile stretch of the river. The fish kill included salmon of up to 2.7kg (6lb). Many of the fish were decomposing.
An extensive search revealed no source of pollution and it was concluded that the event that caused the kill had passed by the time investigations began.
Head of fishery operations Dr Greg Forde, said: “During the summer, rivers are particularly vulnerable and factories and farmers Read more…
![[Most Recent Quotes from www.kitco.com]](https://i0.wp.com/www.kitconet.com/charts/metals/gold/t24_au_en_usoz_2.gif)
![[Most Recent Quotes from www.kitco.com]](https://i0.wp.com/www.kitconet.com/charts/metals/silver/t24_ag_en_usoz_2.gif)
crisisboom
CRISISBOOM 
You must be logged in to post a comment.