Hundreds of dead fish wash up at Needham pond

NEEDHAM, Mass. — Hundreds of dead sun fish washed up at Cutler's Pond in Needham.

Dave Herer has been walking the trail for decades and has never seen anything like it.

"I've been coming here for 30 years and I've never seen this," said Herer.

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife says it's nothing sinister, rather a natural occurrence.

The state blames it on snow-covered ice, which blocks sunlight from reaching plants that are growing and producing oxygen. When the levels go down, the fish die.

"It's kind of a surprise. We were wondering if there was something going on with the pond. It makes sense with the weather change.  Yeah, it's a sad thing to see," said Needham resident Robyn Dori.

It's not just Cutler Pond. There have been reports of dead sunfish also washing up at Horn Pond Lagoon in Woburn.

The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife says they are getting reports of dead fish washing up all across the state - and that nothing can be done to prevent it.

Officials say it does not pose a public health risk to humans, other fish, animals or plants.

Officials say they don't plan on cleaning up the fish because they believe nature should run its course.

Cox Media Group