Multiple Causes of Fish Kills in the Potomac River Basin

A recent article by the USGS and partners from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia suggests there are multiple causes for the fish kills and lesions in the Potomac basin. The causes include pathogens, parasites, and toxic chemicals. The findings indicate that certain sensitive fish species may be stressed by multiple factors and constantly close to the threshold between sustainable and nonsustainable condition. The authors, led by Vicki Blazer of the USGS, suggest the need for a more integrated approach to identify the underlying stressors and possible management actions to enhance ecosystem health. The USGS and partners plan to meet this need through enhanced studies of the Potomac basin as part of the President's Executive Order for Chesapeake Bay. The results of these studies will be used by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the States to develop strategies to reduce the impact of toxic contaminants on fish and wildlife.

The article “Mortality of Centrarchid Fishes in the Potomac Drainage: Survey Results and Overview of Potential Contributing Factors” is available in Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, at:

   http://afsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1577/H10-002.1

For more information contact: vblazer@usgs.gov