GALVESTON, Texas — August 12, 2012 — Thousands of Gulf Menhaden, or Shad fish, washed up on the beaches of Galveston overnight Sunday.
"I grew up in this county for the last 50 years and I've never seen anything like it," Jamaica Beach Cpl. Mike Todaro said. "Apparently it doesn't happen often."
Officials with Texas Parks and Wildlife said the quickly rising heat over the last few days has lowered the oxygen in the water, killing the fish and normal tide caused them to wash up on shore. Officials said shad fish are fragile and highly susceptible to the elements and couldn't survive the low oxygen levels.
Police said the fish aren't dangerous but it's still a good idea to keep your distance.
"This is pretty wild. I heard there were dead fish in the water but I didn't know it would be this bad on the beach," said Mitchell Schnyder. "It bothered me at first but then I thought of those Olympians who do open water swimming, so I thought I got to tough it out in the water."