Thousands of Dead Fish Wash Ashore Creating 'Horrific' Smell

Thousands of Dead Fish Wash Ashore Creating 'Horrific' Smell

Thousands of Dead Fish, Wash Ashore Creating, 'Horrific' Smell.

'Newsweek' reports that thousands of dead fish have washed up on a beach in Staten Island, resulting in an intense smell and concerns from local residents.

Thousands of dead fish have accumulated and begun to rot in the waters and shores of Lemon Creek Park, Staten Island.

Now, some resident have been forced to stay indoors in order to avoid the overpowering stench outside.

The smell is horrific.

You can't even go outside.

And I don't know if it's dangerous to breathe it in or not, but we're not going outside, John Mastellone, Lemon Creek Park resident, via SILive.

According to 'Newsweek,' fish meat contains a chemical called trimethylamine oxide, which is responsible for the characteristic rotten fish smell.

'Newsweek' reports that this isn't the first time massive amounts of dead fish have washed ashore in Staten Island.

'Newsweek' reports that this isn't the first time massive amounts of dead fish have washed ashore in Staten Island.

In 2021, an influx of dead Atlantic menhaden, or bunker fish, washed up near Great Kills Park.

In 2017, Wolfe's Pond Park and Lemon Creek also saw a huge number of dead bunker fish was ashore.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) suggested the reason for the 2021 event was a type of Vibrio bacteria.

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For reasons not understood at this time, [menhaden] may be particularly susceptible to infection from this bacterium, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2021 statement, via 'Newsweek'.

The DEP is investigating whether fluctuating water temperatures, altered menhaden migration patterns or other stressors are contributing factors, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2021 statement, via 'Newsweek'