FOLLY BEACH, S.C. -- Thousands of menhaden have washed up on Folly Beach on the South Carolina coast, and an official said they were apparently killed by cold weather.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources biologist Phil Maier estimated about 10,000 fish washed up Thursday on the island southwest of Charleston.Maier said the fish generally school in groups of 100,000 or more so the kill was relatively small.The fish are about 6 inches long.Maier said the fish may have gotten stuck behind a bar in shallow water where the water was colder. There were no reports of kills on other area beaches.Maier said the sea temperatures along the coast are about 48 degrees. He said when they drop to 47, they can affect the survival of shrimp and other species.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources biologist Phil Maier estimated about 10,000 fish washed up Thursday on the island southwest of Charleston.Maier said the fish generally school in groups of 100,000 or more so the kill was relatively small.The fish are about 6 inches long.Maier said the fish may have gotten stuck behind a bar in shallow water where the water was colder. There were no reports of kills on other area beaches.Maier said the sea temperatures along the coast are about 48 degrees. He said when they drop to 47, they can affect the survival of shrimp and other species.
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