Thousands of Dead Anchovies Could Cause a Smelly Problem for Seaside

Officials say that while this may not seem like a good thing, it is a good sign that anchovies along the Oregon coast are doing very well.

Pelicans feeding on the large school of anchovies at the mouth of the Necanicum River. Photo Courtesy: Seaside Aquarium

(SEASIDE, Ore. ) - Thousands of dead anchovies could cause a fowl smell in the coming days in the popular Oregon coastal town of Seaside.

That is because, this year there has been an unusually large run of the Northern Anchovy from the Pacific Ocean, which has caused oxygen levels in the Necanicum River to deplete enough to kill the fish.

While the local's call it "the fish buffet" as thousands of birds and other marine animals feast on the dead fish, with the warm weather and the amount of dead fish, officials worry visitors to the city may get a whiff of the foul smell coming from the dead fish in the river. But city leaders assure the public there is no health threat or issues with the water, it's a naturally occurring cycle.

Officials added that while this may not seem like a good thing, it is a good sign that anchovies along the Oregon coast are doing very well.