BRUNSWICK

Local lobstermen and shellfishermen are encouraged to collect some of the dead pogies littering the shores of Middle and Maquoit bays for bait to help remove them from the area.

According to a press release issued by Brunswick Police Department Saturday, the department’s Marine Resources Division learned June 6 that several large vessels were fishing pogies, a bait fish, in the intertidal areas of Maquoit and Middle Bay. Staff investigated and confirmed large amounts of dead fish.   

Commissioner Patrick Keliher of the Maine Department of Marine Resources, explained in an email that the floating dead fish were the result of a single incident where a fishing vessel was ill equipped to handle a large catch.

The fish kill incident is not the result of low oxygen content in the water or predation. Oxygen contents are being monitored by Friends of Casco Bay. The dead fish show no signs of predation by larger fish.

The town of Brunswick has dedicated efforts to help remove the dead fish from the bay and shoreline by asking local lobstermen and shellfishermen to come collect the excess fish for crab and lobster bait.
 Local shellfishermen will be conducting a coastal cleanup Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at Maquoit Bay and 10:30 a.m. at Simpsons Point Middle Bay, which will be followed up with efforts from local youth to remove the dead rotting fish from the shoreline.