WBALTV
KENT ISLAND, Md. -- The Maryland Department of the Environment said that tens of thousands of small fish have died in the Chesapeake Bay due to the stress of the cold water.
MDE spokeswoman Dawn Stolzfus said reports of a fish kill started coming in last week from Calvert County and Kent Island.
Many 11 News viewers wrote in Monday to report that the fish had begun washing onto the shore.
Stolzfus said the types of fish that have died are menhayden, spots and croakers.
She said the fish usually swim to warmer waters before the severe cold weather that the area experienced in December. There is no word on why the fish didn't do that.
The MDE said it will let Mother Nature run its course to get rid of the fish and won't intervene.
Anyone who sees a fish kill should report it to the MDE at 866-MDE-GOTO. Stolzfus said the department does check them out to make sure the kill isn't caused by a pollutant.
