CONESUS LAKE — The north end of Conesus Lake experienced a mass mortality of dead pan fish due to a common bacteria.
According to a press release from Mark Grove the Livingston County Director of Environmental Health the New York State Department of Conservation reports that mass amounts of bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish died. Grove states that the Cornell University Aquatic Animal Health Program determined that there was a common bacteria found during a dead fish collection and was identified as the cause of the fish kill event. The bacteria can be contracted by fish, but it cannot be contracted by humans. However, direct contact, such as using bare hands, should always be avoided with dead fish.
A fish kill is a sudden and unexpected mass mortality of fish. Many, but not all, fish kills in the summer result from low concentrations of dissolved oxygen in the water. Fish kills can occur from other environmental factors. Community members should report dead or dying fish only if there are 5 or more game fish or carp, 20 or more pan fish, or 100 or more bait fish in a single general area of Conesus Lake to the New York State Department of Conservation at (585) 226- 5343.
The Livingston County Department of Emergency Management will coordinate all recovery activities. The Livingston County Department of Health will continue to work closely with the Department of Emergency Management, New York State Department of Conservation Livingston County Planning Department, Livingston County Water & Sewer Authority, Conesus Lake Watershed Manager, and the Conesus Lake Association regarding this event.
For health advice on preparing and eating game fish visit the NYSDOH website atwww.health.ny.gov/publications/2800.pdf.