Algae bloom spawns huge fish die-off

CARLSBAD, N.M. (KRQE-KBIM) - More than 6,500 fish have died in Carlsbad's Bataan Lake killed off by toxic algae, according to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.

Fishery Manager Shawn Denny said he tested the water and found golden algae were to blame for the dead fish.

"I think it is a change in water chemistry and water quality that allows the other algaes to die back and the golden algae to take off and do better," he said.

The microscopic organism released a toxin that starved the fish of oxygen.

Denny said the algae bloom is common in the winter after rain but less common during warm summer months.

Many people stopped by Bataan Lake Thursday to get a look at the piles of dead fish. Some were taken back by the smell that went along with it.

"It makes you want to vomit," one man walking along the lake said. "It is a really bad smell."

Identifying what is killing the fish is one thing, but getting rid of it is another, Denny said.

He said some West Texas communities have spent years and millions of dollars to combat golden algae without success.

Denny will be looking at chemicals to eradicate the algae. However more fish will die, and Lake Bataan may have to wait it out, he added.

"There is not a magic bullet where we can say, if we control this element in all these water bodies, we will control golden algae," Denny said.

Game and Fish officials said while golden algae devastate fish populations, they pose no risk to humans, pets or wildlife.