Thousands Of Dead Fish Create ‘Choking Stench’ In Brunswick

Brunswick's marine resources officer and a team of volunteers spent the weekend cleaning up thousands of dead fish that washed ashore in Brunswick.

Authorities say a fisherman caught too many pogies, a popular bait fish, and left them floating in Maquoit and Middle bays.

Brunswick Marine Resources Officer Dan Devereaux and his son, Jesse Devereaux, along with some of Jessie's friends and a team of local shellfishermen, combed the shores over the weekend, collecting enough of the pogies to fill a number of trash bags.

Frank Strasburger lives in the Simpsons Point area. He told the Bangor Daily News the “choking stench” caused him to keep his windows closed for more than a week.

Maine Department of Marine Resources spokesman Jeff Nichols said the fisherman has been identified by authorities. Nichols said the man did not violate any laws and will not be charged.