OK... If they were Chum or old Silvers, then they were probably fish that got caught in the nets that were pretty much dead/not in good shape, and they piled them up on the bank, to die... I've seen this MANY times, although sometimes even with fresh chums, and it's really a hard sight to see, a pile of bright chums just thrown on the beach, cause they don't want to catch them again... Who knows... I did notice a bunch of half dead silvers up in the hatchery creek though, so I know there are some still alive... I think it would be DEFINITELY worth looking into!

Tom