Thousands of dead fish wash up on Texas coast

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of dead fish washed ashore along the Texas Gulf Coast, driven by a lack of oxygen in the warm water.

Investigators from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Kills and Spills Team believe the fish deaths were caused by “a low dissolved oxygen event.”

The fish started washing ashore Friday when the temperature reached 92 degrees Fahrenheit. Cleanup efforts have been ongoing since then, but officials anticipate the event to continue.

Gulf menhaden were the primary species affected. They play a critical role in the local ecosystem, making the event an environmental concern.

Authorities advised against swimming due to high bacterial levels and the potential danger posed by the fish’s sharp fins.

Water samples revealed alarming low dissolved oxygen levels, attributed to a combination of rising temperatures and cloudy conditions.

Authorities claim a “perfect storm” of bad conditions led to high temperatures and starved the fish of oxygen.