Hundreds of Sharks Found Dead
P A N A M A C I T Y, Fla., Oct. 18 -- Hundreds of dead sharks have beenwashing up on beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, and officials arebaffled by what’s causing their deaths.
“We really have no idea,” said Jack Mobley, a wildlifebiologist at Tyndall Air Force Base, where about 50 sharks, mostlyblacktips, had washed up. “There needs to be tests done beforethat can be determined.”
The sharks, which ranged up to 5 feet long, started showing upMonday in waters off the Florida Panhandle. Officials estimatebetween 200 and 300 sharks have died.
Signs of Infection
Traces of blood reported on nostrils and gills of some sharkssuggests an infection might be the culprit, said Mike Brim, anecologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Other theories include the lack of oxygen in shallow waters anddumping of shark carcasses by fishermen who sell the prized finsfor food. Red tide, an algae bloom toxic to fish, was reported inthe area last week, but other species apparently have beenunaffected.
“Why would these sharks be dead and the fish be alive?”helicopter pilot Skip Franck said after flying over the bay. “Whenwe flew over, it was bubbling with fish.”
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