Scientists are investigating a massive fish kill in Western Kentucky. Around half-a-million Asian Carp are reported dead.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources says the die-off on the Cumberland River this week occurred just below the Lake Barkley Dam. Only Asian Carp were killed. Aquaculture Specialist Bob Durborow hasn’t seen anything of this magnitude in his 30 years of experience. He’s currently testing specimens.
“Their eyes looked like they were live their gills looked they were from live fish they were a good specimen to check,” said Durborow. “So, I feel confident that what we find from these fish might give us an indication of what is actually the problem.”
Durborow says a lack of oxygen may be the cause but he’s also investigating the possibility of parasites bacteria and viruses. Durborow says it could take upwards of a month to complete all tests. Meantime the half-million fish carcasses will be flushed down river.
