
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 22, 1994                   TAG: 9407220138
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ROANOKE RIVER FISH KILL IS BAFFLING TO BIOLOGISTS

Dead fish have been turning up in threes and fours along the Roanoke River, from Leesville Lake near Altavista down to the North Carolina border, for the past month, according to state biologists.

Samples of carp and suckers are severely infected with a type of naturally occurring bacteria, according to the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

The bacteria normally do not harm fish, and biologists are stumped as to why they may be killing these two species. They believe the presence of dead fish over more than a 100 miles of river rules out any spill or other form of pollution, said Greg Anderson, a technical assistant with the DEQ.

Test results are being sent to health officials in Campbell, Halifax and Pittsylvania counties to determine if there is any human health threat.

No further action is planned by the agencies.

Residents in the Altavista-Long Island area have reported since last month seeing dead carp and suckers showing up daily. Biologists investigated last month and found a total of 12 dead fish, Anderson said.

The Roanoke River upstream of Altavista has not been investigated or tested for the bacteria, since no dead fish have been reported, he said.

The biologists don't know why the microorganism appears to be suddenly attacking the internal organs, skin and gills of the two species.

by CNB