Report fish kills, even though they’re common this time of year

via the FWC.... High temperatures and cloudy, rainy days can spell trouble for fish in Florida’s marine and freshwater habitats. These conditions can cause fish kills, which are natural occurrences that typically do not cause permanent damage to the ecosystem or to fish populations.

Nevertheless the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) needs your help in keeping track of these die-offs. FWC scientists record and monitor the location and extent of fish kills in natural lakes and estuaries to see if there are problems developing in an ecosystem that might require investigation or restorative measures.

Many factors may contribute to a fish kill. Some fish kills are complex and involve a variety of factors that may not be easily discernable. However, most common causes of kills in brackish estuaries, freshwater lakes and man-made retention ponds are well understood by scientists. 

Fish kills are commonly caused by weather-related factors. Sudden temperature fluctuations or extreme temperatures can result in fish kills any time of the year. Hot weather during the summer months can cause fish kills because warm water holds less oxygen than cold water. In addition, a lack of rain during hot-weather months lowers the water levels in the system, allowing the water to heat even more, which further depletes oxygen levels.

Fish kills also can occur during extended periods with little sunshine. The process leading to these types of die-offs begins with overcast skies and rainy weather. During extended periods of overcast, rainy or cloudy weather, the biological system uses the dissolved oxygen in the water faster than it can produce it.  Rain water can compound the situation by causing vegetation, such as leaves and grass clippings, to wash into the system and decompose. The decomposition process also can remove oxygen from water.

The good news is that most natural water bodies are resilient to these types of fish kill events.

Residents can report fish kills in natural water bodies to the FWC at MyFWC.com/FishKill or by calling the FWC Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511. It is not necessary to report fish kills in man-made retention or private ponds to the FWC.