FOLLY BEACH, S.C. (WCIV) — Something fishy is happening on Folly Beach. About 10,000 bait fish washed up on shore. Crews hired by the city cleaned them up Friday. The Department of Natural Resources say it was the cold weather that caused the deaths.
Crews with B&C Utility raked up the thousands of dead fish, 6 inch Menhaden that were lining the shore on Folly.
"We've got a whole of work today," said worker Anthony Deas.
The Department of Natural Resources has an explanation. Biologists with the agency say the fish may have gotten stuck behind a sand bar in shallow water where the water was colder. The sea temperature was about 48 degrees.
But with all the dead fish and birds around the world like birds in Texas that dropped from the sky, some people we found on Folly are not convinced by that explanation.
"I don't know if I buy that. I think it's a sign. I think it's a sign. We should always be aware of the signs that are handed to us and this is a big one," Folly Beach resident Andrew Worland said.
Folly Beach's mayor was concerned with the lingering affects of the dead bait like the smell.
"At least it's not hot and humid," Mayor Tim Goodwin said.
It is about a $5-6,000 bill for fish and it will end up at the landfill.
Read the complete story from WCIV-TV News.