June 14, 2014 - EARTH - The following constitutes
the latest reports of unusual and symbolic animal behavior, mass
die-offs, beaching and stranding of mammals, and the appearance of rare
creatures.
Humpback Whale Washes Up Dead Near Pajaro Dunes, California
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| Beach-goers examine a dead humpback whale near Pajaro Dunes on Friday. (Tom Farmer -- Contributed) |
Researchers try to determine cause of death
An adult humpback whale was found dead on the beach near Pajaro Dunes
Thursday night, and researchers are trying to determine its cause of
death.
The roughly 45-foot whale was spotted after dark near the waterline at
Palm Beach, said Teri Sigler, the marine mammal stranding coordinator at
Long Marine Laboratory in Santa Cruz.
"It's a rare strander," Sigler said Friday.
She said the whale appeared "moderately decomposed" and had an odor. It
was not immediately clear how it died, and a necropsy was expected to be
performed on the beach Friday.
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| A man stands near a dead humpback whale on Friday near Pajaro Dunes. (Tom Farmer -- Contributed) |
Results could take a day or longer, in part because the tide has been
washing the animal south and making it difficult for researchers to get
to it. Friday afternoon, the whale drifted to the beach in front of the
Pajaro Rivermouth, authorities said.
After the necropsy, a team could bury it or tow it out to sea, Sigler said.
Humpback whales typically feed in Monterey Bay this time of year, she said.
The whale did not appear to have shark bites and it's not known if
sharks followed it to the waterline in hopes of feeding on it, she said.
Authorities said another whale that was not a humpback was found this week near Marina, south of Palm Beach.
Other researchers are handling that whale and a necropsy has not yet
been done - but it does not appear that the deaths are related, Sigler
said.
"It's still early and we don't have a lot of information yet," she said.
Bill Wolcott, supervising ranger at Sunset State Beach, advised people
to stay away from the humpback whale. The beach is snowy plover habitat
that is sensitive to human contact, and the nearest parking lot is more
than 1 mile from it.
"We're discouraging people from going out there," said Wolcott.
Tom Farmer, a 53-year-old from Watsonville, was walking on Palm Beach on his lunch break Friday.
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| A male humpback whale was found stranded near Pajaro Dunes on Thursday night. (Tom Farmer -- Contributed) |
Farmer said he spotted the whale as a "speck" in the distance. He kept
walking and saw that the humpback lying lifeless. It was larger than a
car but smaller than a bus, he said.
He snapped pictures with his cellphone and marveled.
"I always like going down there (to the beach)," said Farmer, who lives
in San Martin. "You never know what you're going to see."
Researchers advised people to stay away from the whale for scientific purposes. The beach remains open.
Stranded whales, dolphins, porpoises and sea turtles can be reported to Long Marine Laboratory by calling 831-212-1272.
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Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Thousands Of Dead Fish Wash Up On Samos Beach In Karlovasi, Greece
Thousands of dead fish that washed up on the beach at Karlovasi on
the northern Aegean island of Samos last Friday were still there on
Monday, despite the smell.
An investigation launched by the Greek coast guard was under way in order to determine whether the fish had been poisoned or killed as a result of illegal fishing practices.
However, local fishermen claimed that the fish were too small to be caught in their nets. -
Ekathimerini.
Dead Humpback Whale Found On Buffalo Beach, Western Australia
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| The dead whale was spotted on Buffalo Beach on Saturday. Picture by Kirk Davies. |
A humpback whale carcass has been sitting on Buffalo Beach near
Australind since Saturday and the department of parks and wildlife is
still weighing up options of how to deal with its removal.
A department spokeswoman urged the public to steer clear of the 10-metre long carcass because it posed health and safety issues.
"It's a dead whale so it's not very pleasant to be around - in saying
that, it's in a very remote location which can only be accessed by
four-wheel-drive so there's not too much chance of people going up to
it," the spokeswoman said.
She said the whale had several bite marks on it and at least one shark has been spotted in the area recently.
Removal of the carcass will prove difficult as it is sitting in the
shallows at the beach and the department is taking a "wait and see"
approach to its removal.
The public can report any shark sightings to Water Police on 9442 8600. -
The Advocate.
17 Dead Sea Birds Found Along Beaches In Iquique, Chile
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| Photo Kaitieki Twitter @ SCKaitieki |
The week just passed, the death of Koi had generated a number of challenges to those responsible in Iquique. Now, in the Playa Brava, were found dead birds of 17 species Guanay Cormorant.
Guanay Cormorant is a seabird that inhabits the coasts of Peru and our country, belongs to the family of the famous "Ducks Yecos" that abound in Iquique. Representatives Kaitieki Conservation Society came to the site after receiving alert people who saw dead birds in the sand.
After verifying the deaths of about 16 cormorants on Playa Brava, Kaitieki reported facts through its platforms on social media, "We went to the place and soon we go was not difficult to find one which was effectively dead, but showed no injury. Touring the place we started meeting with a total of 16 dead birds in different states, and some whole other half eaten by dogs. "
"Near the end of the tour we found a live one obviously weak and sick, and unfortunately despite all the care that was provided died overnight," said Conservation Society Kaitieki.
They filed a complaint at the SAG this morning, presenting even a dead bird, to request the autopsy and figure out what could attract the death of cormorants. Made an important addition to the community called, "If you see any live by the beach or dead please do not take it, could transmit a disease." -
El Boyaldia.[Translated]
Thousands Of Dead Crabs Found On Phuket Shore, Thailand
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| Thousands of dead crabs wash ashore in Phuket on World Oceans Day |
Tens of thousands of dead sea crabs were spotted this morning on the shore of Pa Lai Beach in Phuket's Chalong sub-district.
Today happens to be World Oceans Day, a day first designated in 2002 to
honour the world's oceans and celebrate the products the ocean provides.
More information
here.
To this point there have been no official statements or tests conducted to clarify the cause of the crabs' mass exodus.
 |
| Thousands of dead crabs wash ashore in Phuket on World Oceans Day |
In related news, Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO) this week began the
construction of an underwater ice wall to staunch massive amounts of
contaminated groundwater that have been flowing into the sea from the
crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex.
Read more here.
Whether there is a link with the dead crabs found in Phuket this morning has yet to be confirmed or dismissed. -
The Phuket News.
Over 90 TONS Of Fish Die During A Storm In Kampong Thom, Cambodia
More than 90 tons of fish died after gale-force winds hit the Tonle
Chhmar Fish Conservation Center in Kompong Thom province
Wednesday, according to local officials.
The gale started around 2:30 p.m. and lasted for approximately half an hour, said Korn Chanseiha, the Ministry of Agriculture administrator for Stong district.
“Yesterday we had a gale storm and a huge amount of fish died,” Mr. Chanseiha said.
He said the fish are believed to have died after water was blown out of the lake as huge gusts of wind enveloped the conservation center.
A local official said that while fish have been killed in similar circumstances before, this is the most extreme example he has ever witnessed.
“The most amount of fish I have witnessed killed was 40 tons, this is over 90,” said Khun Bunh, district military police commander.
Local villagers Wednesday attempted to collect the dead fish at the conservation center for selling and eating, Mr. Bunh said. Fishing is usually forbidden at the conservation center. -
Cambodia Daily.
Massive Die-Off Of Fish Suddenly Hits Ponds In West Godavari, India
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Tonnes of fish lying dead in a villages under Undi mandal in West Godavari District.
The Hindu |
Hundreds of fish have fallen prey to intense heat wave
and sudden fluctuation in temperature in West Godavari district. Heaps
of dead fish dumped on wayside and bunds of ponds are greeting visitors
to aqua-rich villages in the district. The fish markets at Akiveedu and
Eluru city, flooded with huge quantities of dead fish, bear tell-tale
signs of the calamity which has struck the growers across the district
in the last two days.
The fish, ready for harvesting, died for want of dissolved oxygen in the ponds overnight. The vast expanses of the ponds were dotted with the lifeless fish floating on the surfaces. Although there was no official data available yet on the extent of loss in aquaculture, rough estimates revealed that around 5,000 tonnes of dead fish arrived to the Akiveedu market alone from West Godavari and Krishna districts in a single day on Tuesday.
The price fell from Rs. 30 per kg previous day to Rs 5 and even Re. 1. Some farmers abandoned the produce on the road side and returned home crestfallen for want of takers. Fisheries Development Officer Lakshmana Kumar told The Hindu that he observed 16 tonnes of fish dead in four villages under Undi and Kalla mandals alone during a visit.
Apart from drop in the day temperatures, high density of stocking, low water level in the ponds and late harvesting were the causes for the calamity, he said. The farmers delayed harvesting till June hoping for better prices as against the normal schedule from January to March. A kg of fish fetched them Rs 90 during the January-March period, but fell to 30 by June first week, dashing their hopes. Ramachandra Raju, Delta Fish Farmers Association, put the loss to around Rs. 300 crore caused by the calamity.
Dhatla Rama Raju from Rajulapet in Akiveedu mandal said he had buried four tonnes of fish killed in his ponds in the nearby fields. He invested Rs 75,000-80,000 on fish farming per acre and suffered a loss of Rs. 3 lakh. Venkannababu, another farmer from Akiveedu, said he had spent Re 1 on each seedling which he purchased from hatcheries and he failed to recover even that in the market. -
The Hindu.
Mass Die-Off Of Fish Along 20km Of River In Pizhou, China
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| Full of dead fish floating in the river shining white. |
90 cage fish breeding in the room pavilion river of death, half time ten thousand kilos of fish all died. According to farmers introduced, 20 kilometers room pavilion River pizhou eight-defined set of great promise soil Town and Copper Mountain Town Village Reach Reach dozen farmers damaged. Pizhou fishery department, said the water quality will be detected and registered accounting of dead fish farmers. House Pavilion river was not high, the water has tens of meters wide, lined with river fish cages. The river looked around, almost all cages, cages of dead fish floating in shining white, big ten kilos, there are a couple of pounds smaller. These have all been rotting dead fish, an unpleasant odor. Close to the river, the river is almost full stench people can not breathe.
This year 50-year-old picked up a farmers Guo Yunjun weighs 5 kilos of carp, the fish had rotted, cut off a few. Guo Yunjun said June 1 in the morning, when the pouring rain, he did not go out, there is a neighbor told him that the room pavilion river has been polluted. 郭允军 did not eat the meal went to the river, he smelled an odor, also found that the flow from upstream to an Blackwater, muddy water, then the fish appeared strange, turn on the water, and even jumped out of the cage to begin large number of deaths. Dead fish floating in the water, and dead fish floating up more and more. Guo Yunjun say no to noon, he was 90 cages in ten thousand kilograms of fish all died. The other villagers raised river fish could not survive. Guo Yunjun introduced fish within eight TOWN, wangzhuang, Dadun reach the villages of farmers are all dead. In addition, the town 20 kilometers nianzhuang pizhou territory, town and big promises town soil copper mountain territory, room pavilion river reaches, hundreds of kilograms of dead fish.
Fish farmers: dead fish every year from the year before
Starting 10 years ago, Guo Yunjun start running fry, installed 90 cages. Eve of Spring Festival this year, he put in more than 10,000 yuan worth of fish, fish'll be able to grow into the market, thought there would be a good harvest this year, I did not expect all the fish died. 郭允军 said that from the year before, for three consecutive years are dead. 郭允军 said dead fish floating cages where only a small part of most of the dead fish submerged in water, after the stink to float to. Villagers saw so many dead on both sides, have come to salvage. These dead fish have bighead, silver carp, carp, grass carp and other big ten kilos, one such fish can sell tens of dollars. Several villagers said the site over the past three years, housing pavilion in mid-river to drip water from upstream, mid-dead fish. According to their understanding, the sewage is discharged from upstream, and last year they had to go JIAWANG environmental protection department approached, but so far no results.
Relevant departments will help farmers rights
For a large number of dead fish farmers, Zhou Yi, deputy mayor Pizhou eight town is also very sad. She explained that the previous room pavilion really crystal clear river, upstream companies continue to pollute later became like this now. For three consecutive years, the fish farmers continue to death inside, they also went to the scene to see, and to help farmers rights. Pizhou City Environmental Protection Bureau, said after receiving the reflected, for room pavilion river pollution caused fish deaths, they will be involved in the investigation, tracing upstream polluters, severely punished. As to the issue of compensation of dead fish, the fishery sector may reflect resolved. Relevant personnel Pizhou fishery station, said farmers for town justice set eight dead fish and other water pollution incident reflects that they have received a reflection of fishery officers to the scene to take a water sample, then commissioned the relevant departments to identify and the number of dead fish farmers registered accounting. They will investigate the reasons for the death of fish evidence, look sewage companies, sewage companies to coordinate related claims. If coordination is not, they will provide evidence of farmers, farmers hope through legal channels. -
Shuichan. [Translated]
Thousands Of Dead Fish Found Floating Around The Coast Of Sabang, Indonesia
Thousands of reef fish in the last two weeks was found dead floating in the sea Sabang. Not yet known causes of death of these fish, but most people call it the fish died due to poisoning. The floating dead fish float up to parairan reported Pulo Aceh. Commander laot Lhok Meulee Ie, District Suka Jaya, Sabang, Saiful to the Porch, Monday (9/6), said fishermen in the region of Upper Town, West Town, Ie Meulee, Edge Kareung, and that all incoming ITAM Anoi eastern region, in the period the last three weeks time often find fish floating on the shoreline and at sea. It turns out that the case was not only found in the eastern region, but in almost all waters of Pulau Weh, as justified Commander laot Sabang town, M Ali. According to M Ali, who was found dead fish events since May 24, 2014 that spread to the waters of the western region, namely Beurawang, Jaboi, Iboih, Keunekai, Paya Keunekai, and Balohan. "This is the first case occurred in Sabang waters," said M Ali. According to information, the condition of rotting fish with skin peeling. Not even a little bit ahead of the flounder was found dead, so many fishermen bring home for sale. Ie laot Commander Meulee mention, the floating dead fish are reef fish that settled in the shallow reef.
Types of reef fish that died were, among others, grouper, Jabung / lubing, spinach, chilli and fish. Not only reef fish, but at the same time the fishermen also found some dead turtles on the beach. Saiful do not yet know the cause of death of the reef fish. It also can not say dangerous or not eating dead fish. This condition is very disturbing fishermen. Even some residents have started to reluctantly eat fish that are sold by the fishermen, especially people who live in coastal areas Sabang city. "There are people who call the fish died due to poisoning, but we can not conclude that the fish was poisoned. Kapastiannya wait for the results of DKP, "said Commander laot Lhok Meulee Ie. Saiful very much hope to the Department of Marine and Fisheries (DKP) to immediately find out the cause of the fish deaths. Therefore, if left unchecked, dead reef fish will continue to grow and have an impact on reef fish populations, including coral reefs which are already visible white. "Samples of dead fish have been submitted to the DKP on June 5 in accordance with the collective agreement with the fishermen. However, until now there has been no answers on the cause of death of fish, as well as whether the dead fish may be consumed, "said Commander laot Lhok Meulee Ie. Another report received Porch said dead fish in the waters of Pulau Weh drift down to the waters of Pulo Aceh, District of Pulo Aceh, Aceh Besar. Society and the traditional institutions of Pulo Aceh laot find a lot of dead fish floating in the water and is believed to drift from Sabang waters. -
Atjeh Post. [Translated]
