Environmental officials investigate fish kill in Marley Creek
Thousands of dead fish found in Glen Burnie area
Maryland environmental officials are investigating a fish kill at an Anne Arundel County creek after the discovery of 6,000 dead fish floating in Marley Creek.
Environmental officials said they believe recent algae blooms and a large amount of recent rainfall in the Glen Burnie area may have contributed to the deaths.
A team from the Maryland Department of the Environment called to the creek on Monday discovered the dead and dying fish, as well as an algae bloom nearby.
Other algae blooms were discovered in Spa Creek in Annapolis and in the Chesapeake Bay near the Bay Bridge.
The algae blooms then die after consuming oxygen in the water.
There are about a dozen species of fish found in Marley Creek. MDE said the algae bloom is not harmful to people, but residents can help to resolve the problem by reducing stormwater runoff on their properties.
MDE said nature will remove the fish.
Residents can report fish kills by calling the MDE fish kill hotline at 877-224-7229.