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August 31, 2007

DEM warns of potential for fish die-off

The state Department of Environmental Management warned today that a large school of menhaden, chased into the Blackstone River by predatory fish, may be at risk.

An estimated one million to two million menhaden -- many of them juveniles -- were spotted late yesterday and early this morning in the river near Slater Dam.

Menhaden contribute to Narragansett Bay's health and to the economy: They are bait fish for the lobster fishery and are used to attract striped bass, among other things.

DEM biologists in the fish and wildlfie division are monitoring the situation.

In July, the DEM carried out emergency rules to control harvesting of menhaden to preserve the menhaden stocks.

Adult menhaden are typically in Narragansett Bay from May through September, but juveniles remain throughout the year.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 12:10 PM | Permalink

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