Thousands of dead fish were spotted floating in the waterways off on Shinnecock Canal, South Fork of Long Island at Hampton Bays. State officials said they think predators chased the school of fish into the canal. Then, because the water was inundated with fish, many of them died from lack of oxygen. Officials are taking water samples to confirm the theory.

Shinnecock Canal is a canal that cuts across the South Fork of Long Island at Hampton Bays, New York. It connects Great Peconic Bay and the north fork of Long Island with Shinnecock Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The whole canal has a length of 1.4 km or 0.9 mi. The inlet has created a short cut to the Atlantic that is now used by 27,000 boats per year.

Local People Reactions To Dead Fish

"I put 2,500 in the boat in 15 minutes," fishermen Mike Caruso said. Caruso, together with fisherman Jamie Humel were both stunned by the sight and started scooping up fish into their boat after seeing them popping up in the water. According to NBC New york, the officials said and confirmed that there is no risk to the public from the water or the dead fish.

As reported by News 12, Martin West, a local resident said in the area said, "You could've walked across the water. It was covered with fish." Regional Department of Environmental Conservation spokesperson explained that fish kills happen when a large number of school of fish get trapped in a confined area and the oxygen levels go down, leading to suffocation.

Actions Of The Government Against Environmental Contamination

The tiny Shinnecock canal has seen several fish kills over the past few years, but most of those were caused by environmental issues such as algae blooms and officials believe Monday’s death trap had nothing to do with environmental contamination. The concerned officials are taking the right actions regarding the issue so the locals do not need to worry.