Die-off of fish, squid prompts investigation

Between 500 and 800 lanternfish and squid were found dead or dying Monday in the Nawiliwili Harbor area of Kauai, prompting an investigation by state and federal officials.

Frazer McGilvray, administrator of the Division of Aquatic Resources, said investigators have yet to pinpoint a cause.

"We’ve taken samples and are examining it," he said. "We have no ideas yet. Until we take a hard look, we don’t want to speculate."

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources was notified of the dying marine dwellers on Monday by someone who had seen them washed up on shore.

Lanternfish and squid were found dead or dying in the same area four or five years ago. The cause was undetermined.

The lanternfish, known for their bio­luminescence, and squid are typically found in the deep ocean, but are also known for nightly vertical migrations to shallower depths, the DLNR said in a news release. McGilvray said the migrations are a common natural occurrence for deep-sea animals such as jellyfish, phytoplankton and squid.

"A number of deep-water animals do this at night," McGilvray said. "We don’t know specifically why, though."

DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources is asking the public to help look for dead or dying marine life in large numbers on nearby beaches. Findings should be reported to the Eyes of the Reef Network at www.eorhawaii.org/make-a-report.

McGilvray advises not to collect any samples but instead report them.