After Sandy Toes Beach Bar and Grill posted a video of dead fish washing up ashore in front of their establishment, residents rushed to the area curious as to what was happening. This took place last night, Monday, May 7, 2018, at around 8p.m.; it is a startling occurrence that has some residents worried.
The big question on everybody’s mind is, what could possibly be causing this? Amongst the many dead and dying bonefish were sardines, needle nose fish and even puffer fish. There are more questions than answers at this point though, because there are no obvious clues to what would have killed those fish.
There are many speculations as to what could have caused this strange phenomena – some suggest a strong rip current, a low tide trapping the fish out of the water and even poisoning by sargasso toxins.
The thick sargasso layer floating on the beach has settled on the seabed and the water is being tainted red. Some believe that the rotting sargasso toxins could be the culprit of the dying fish, but last night’s incident is isolated only by the Sandy Toes area. There is sargasso everywhere along the island’s coast.
One island resident has reported dead needle fish, shrimp and evan a morray eel in the area by Paradise Villas. He says that the problem is not only isolated in town, but has witnessed it in North Ambergris Caye. He reports seeing tarpon coming in from outside the reef feeding on large schools of stressed bonefish, some with sores and rotting fins.
Video shows people carrying the bonefish by the buckets and fishermen advise them not to consume the fish as they are yet to be tested for toxins. We will share more information as it becomes available.
