Parade magazine on Sunday January 31, 2010 published an article describing mysterious intersex fish appearing in increasing numbers in rivers in the United States.
Included in the study was the Mobile River Basin which covers most of Alabama.
One third of male smallmouth bass and one fifth of male largemouth bass exhibit both male and female sex characteristics.
Photo credit Parade magazine
"Lab studies are under way to isolate potential causes," lead author Jo Ellen Hinck says.
Katherine Baer of the nonprofit group American Rivers says, "We see what's happening to the fish, and the water they're swimming in is the water we are drinking."