© Thomas B. Shea / © 2012 Thomas B. Shea The Knop family from Bastrop try to enjoy their vacation on Jamaica Beach Monday despite the appearance of thousands of dead fish on the beach. Crews have been working to clean up beaches frequented most often by visitors and other areas of the island.
Peter Davis of the Galveston Island Beach Patrol said Sunday the small shad fish likely were killed by low oxygen levels in the Gulf of Mexico.
Davis estimated hundreds of thousands of fish have died.
Galveston County health officials said the water is fine for beachgoers.
Biologist Steven Mitchell with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department said calm conditions and summer heat may have contributed to the fish kill.
He said there's a possibility of a dead zone in the water off Galveston.
Testing is expected this week.
BP