Thousands of dead fish resurface in Peconic River

For the second time in just a couple of weeks, thousands of dead bunker fish have surfaced in the Peconic River in Riverhead. News 12 spoke with residents who say that while they have seen fish killed

News 12 Staff

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Jun 16, 2015, 6:28 AM

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Updated 3,501 days ago

For the second time in just a couple of weeks, thousands of dead bunker fish have surfaced in the Peconic River in Riverhead.

News 12 spoke with residents who say that while they have seen fish killed in the river before, they are alarmed by how much the situation has worsened.

Town officials blame bluefish for chasing the bunker fish up the river, cornering them and suffocating them as oxygen disappears.

Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter says the town is trying to figure out why so many fish are dying, although he does not believe the sewage plant is to blame.

Until experts figure out the exact cause, residents say they want the fish to be cleaned up.

Town officials are asking for marina and private beach owners to help collect the dead fish. The town will then take the fish to a landfill.