Scientists at seven labs have confirmed that the huge fish kill in a tributary of the Pocomoke River was not caused by Pfiesteria piscicida.

The conclusions were based on tests conducted on water from Bullbeggar Creek, where an estimated 500,000 fish died and were found July 22. It was the largest fish kill in 10 years in Maryland. Scientists are sticking to their original explanation that the fish suffocated because there wasn't enough oxygen for the number of fish in the creek.

Pfiesteria was blamed killing thousands of fish in several areas of the Chesapeake Bay in 1997. but the toxic microbe has been dormant since.

Pub Date: 7/30/99