Schools of dead herring continue to wash up on Nova Scotia beaches
HALIFAX — Schools of dead herring keep washing ashore along the rocky beaches of western Nova Scotia, prompting a retired scientist to enlist the help of local naturalists and bird watchers as he continues to gather data about the mysterious phenomenon.
Ted Leighton, an adjunct biology professor at Nova Scotia’s University of Sainte-Anne, said Friday he has compiled more than 40 sightings since tens of thousands of dead and dying fish started appearing in St. Marys Bay in late November.
Leighton, who has an extensive background in wild animal disease investigations, said the latest sightings were reported Thursday in the Tusket River area, which is southeast of Yarmouth — and he says more dead fish were spotted in St. Marys Bay and in the Annapolis Basin earlier this week.
“The event does not appear to be over,” he said in an interview. “Whether it’s diminishing or not is really hard to say.”