Government is investigating the cause of a fish die-off, but is reassuring residents pelagic fish are still safe to eat.

Hundreds of dead fish have washed up on the Island's shores in recent weeks, resulting in e-mails circulating which are warning people not to eat local catch.

Government however, says there is no need to panic and that fish purchased from commercial fishermen should be safe to eat.

"If you are getting fish from reliable sources such as restaurants, hotels and commercial fishermen, you should not be concerned," said Environment Minister Glenn Blakeney yesterday.

"If however, you are a leisure fisherman or fishing off the rocks, you shouldn't take any fish which are lethargic or floating."

The Department of Environmental Protection is coordinating the investigation into the die-off, with the assistance of scientists from the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS).

Director of Environmental Protection Frederick Ming said: "We don't know what is causing this and what we have done is assign a team of scientists, technicians and so forth representing the department, Conservation Services and BIOS.

"We have been out on one outing and we will send people out again in the next couple of days to look for signs of algal bloom."

Algal bloom, a rapid increase in the amount of algae in the ocean, can become toxic to marine life.

However, warm water temperatures and water quality factors such as oxygen and increased nutrient loads are other possible factors.

The unusually large quantities of coral spawn seen recently could be another explanation.

Yesterday, Government was assisted in its investigation by an aircraft en route to Halifax, Canada, capable of taking aerial photographic footage. The crew is expected to report back on any sightings of algal bloom.

Dr. Ming is also in contact with islands in the Caribbean which have experienced a similar die-off, such as Barbados.

Overseas diagnostic labs will also assist in the pathological examination of the fish themselves.

Mr. Blakeney said yesterday: "This is not the first time that this has occurred in Bermuda. In fact every year or two we experience fish die-offs, some of them being on a larger scale than others."

While such die-offs generally happen in late spring or late summer, their severity can vary.

"The last major natural event happened in 1997 and, similar to the current event, affected only reef fish species including bream, squirrel fish, porgies, snappers, angel fish, parrotfish and hog fish," said Mr. Blakeney.

"No pelagic fish, such as tuna, wahoo or jacks have been found.

"The largest numbers of dead fish were discovered in the West end of Bermuda, near Dockyard on September 7 and near Scotts Bay in Somerset this past weekend.

"The first specimens seen by the department were collected approximately three weeks ago before large numbers began to show up.

"Other locations where dead fish have been reported in numbers include waters off Tobacco Bay and Tucker's Point in St. George's, and the South Shore beaches.

"Very small numbers of dead or dying fish were also reported from different points along the North Shore and e^lsewhere."

Mr. Blakeney said: "Fish kills in the past have not resulted in a public health threat and there is no evidence to suggest that the present event will be any different.

"We urge the public to disregard e-mails currently circulating that tell you to not eat local fish as these claims are unsubstantiated and not borne out by past die-off events.

"However, we are advising local residents to use good judgment and common sense and not take fish for consumption which have been found at the surface in distress, fish that appear to be lethargic on landing, or fish showing any bodily lesions, including loss of skin, discolouration or bleeding."

Dr. Ming said: "The good news is that we are going to see water temperatures begin to cool pretty soon and this will begin to relieve some of the stress on fish.

"I would hope we have seen the worst of this."