MDEQ issues warning following mysterious fish kill

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) is working with Pearl River County to advise residents that a precautionary water contact closure has been issued for a section of the Pearl River in Pearl River County.

The section extends from Highway 26 near Poplarville south to I-59 near Nicholson.

MDEQ, along with other state and federal agencies, are investigating an extensive fish kill on the river. MDEQ recommends that people avoid water contact recreation such as swimming or wading in these waters. In addition, people should avoid eating fish and shellfish from waters in the immediate vicinity of the closure.

MDEQ will update or lift this advisory pending the outcome of the investigation.