Maryland reports thousands of algae-related fish deaths

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - The Maryland Department of Environment is reporting that thousands of fish have died in some of the state’s waterways.

The Capital Gazette reported Monday that the large fish kills are related to this year’s particularly intense bloom of algae. Department spokesman Jay Apperson told the newspaper that the deaths illustrate the need to stem nutrient pollution.

Runoff from farms and cities as well as wastewater can fuel algae blooms. The algae then dies off when water temperatures rise in spring. That causes oxygen levels in the water to plummet. The fish can’t breathe.

Fish kills were reported in waterways in and around Anne Arundel County, which sits south of Baltimore on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

Several species of fish died. They included small menhaden and juvenile Norfolk spot.