Little is known about the parasite. Jeff has been investigating the prevalence of the disease on the Eastern Shore, and he hopes to determine the relative threat of the parasite on the region's blue crab fishery. Jeff's sampling program will include sites near the Goodwin Islands and the Catlett Islands. This November, his work will be supported by a grant from NOAA 's Saltonstall-Kennedy Program. Concerned citizens report that a lot of smelly, dead fish are floating on a creek near their residence on the York River.
Investigators report that numerous juvenile menhaden have died.
The fish show no signs of disease. Water quality tests are performed. The results for various parameters are compared to datasets which give extensive record of previous conditions for the area. The fish died due to natural phenomena. The research team in charge of the investigation moves on to the next problem.