Authorities in Maryland are investigating the deaths of about 2 million fish in Chesapeake Bay.<\/p>\n
“Natural causes appear to be the reason,” the Maryland Department of the Environment said in a news release. “Cold water stress exacerbated by a large population of the affected species (juvenile spot fish) appears to be the cause of the kill.”<\/p>\n
The investigation comes days after the deaths of an estimated 100,000 fish in northwest Arkansas. Authorities suspect disease was to blame there, a state spokesman said.<\/p>\n
In Maryland, preliminary tests showed water quality to be acceptable, officials said.<\/p>\n
“The affected fish are almost exclusively juvenile spot fish, 3 to 6 inches in length,” the Maryland department said. A recent survey “showed a very strong population of spot in the bay this year. An increased juvenile population and limited deep water habitat would likely compound the effects of cold water stress.”<\/p>\n
Large winter kills of spot fish have occurred at least twice before in the state, in 1976 and 1980, the department said.<\/p>\n