Dead Shad Galveston

[Gibby]

Friday afternoon launched at Jamaica Beach boat ramp. Paddled through hundreds of dead Shad about ¾ way down the canal towards the bay. They were all about an inch and a quarter and no visible sign of injury. Once into Carancahua Cove, saw hundreds more dead ones. Funny thing there were plenty of gulls and other birds around and they were not eating the Shad. Saw plenty of other wildlife (crabs, mullet, small shrimp) that looked healthy. Wonder what the issue was with the Shad?

[karstopo]

Could be hypoxia. Not enough dissolved O2 in the water. Fish got to breath too. Shad are really prone big hypoxia die offs.

[kickingback]

That happens in those long channels into the gulf. I saw it before and it smelled so bad!!! The people at the ramp said it happens each year at a certain time.