From NOLA by Janet McConnaughey, Associated Press writer
Low tide and high temperatures caused low oxygen levels that suffocated huge numbers of fish in Plaquemines Parish, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries said Wednesday.
Department biologists found the fish kill in Bayou Chaland had nothing to do with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, Olivia Watkins said.
After the dead fish were found on Friday, Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser asked for an investigation, because oil from the BP spill had affected the area.
"When the tide is low, it becomes a pool," she said. "We had a low tide and all the fish got trapped" in water less than 2 feet deep.
Hot water holds less oxygen than cold water, and heat speeds metabolisms so plants and animals need more oxygen. The fish suffocated because the water held too little oxygen to keep them alive, Watkins said.
Such fish kills are common in Louisiana's shallow waters in late summer and early fall.
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