Thursday July 23, 2009, 10:42 am
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
Heat may have killed fish in Florida Bay

The chief of biological resources at Everglades National Park said the thousands of fish floating dead in Florida Bay this week may have died from the heat.

BY CURTIS MORGAN
cmorgan@MiamiHerald.com

Thousands of fish popped up dead this week in Florida Bay -- possible victims of what might be described as a marine version of heat stroke.

The fish kill was unusually large for the waters of Everglades National Park, with floating redfish, snook and other species covering nearly 20 acres in between Buoy Key and the coast, said Dave Hallac, the park's chief of biological resources.

``These things happen,'' Hallac said.

``It's just the size of it that was concerning.''

Some fish kills happen almost every year in Florida Bay. Because much of the bay is shallow, with vast flats only a few feet deep, water conditions can change rapidly with the weather.

Cold snaps can kill temperature-sensitive fish such as snook. Extended hot, dry spells can raise salinity and kill sea grass, with a sometimes fatal effect on other life as the decaying plants suck oxygen from the water.

While low oxygen is suspected, Hallac said, levels must have dropped quickly. He fished the area over the weekend and caught sea trout.

There was no visible evidence of the green algae blooms that have plagued the waters of Florida Bay and the Keys in past summers.

Hallac said the park collected water samples and is working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to pinpoint the problem.

Until results are in, the cause will remain officially unresolved.

Thursday July 23, 2009, 10:52 am
Global warming and human habitat destruction... :( Thanks Raffi!

Thursday July 23, 2009, 4:09 pm
I know how they feel summer heat wipes me out too

Thursday July 23, 2009, 5:15 pm
poor fish

Thursday July 23, 2009, 5:47 pm
The heat is unbearable in Florida, I'm surprised that more animals don't die from the oppresive heat, and it hasn't rained, very odd, usually it rains every afternoon, when it's that hot, to cool things down, bujt this year, your lucky to see it rain maybe once, every 2 weeks. I know, I'm here right now, unfortunately.

Thursday July 23, 2009, 6:17 pm
It's so sad to hear about anything or anyone dying from extreme heat. Thanks Raffi for sharing.

Thursday July 23, 2009, 6:37 pm
So tragic. Sadly noted. Thanks Raffi.

Thursday July 23, 2009, 8:11 pm
Terrible I wonder if it was a red tide in severe form? We get that here in the chesapeake bay it is awful.
Thanks Raffi

Thursday July 23, 2009, 8:47 pm
Thanks for the info Raffi. Please let us know if you hear further.
Lync

Friday July 24, 2009, 8:05 am
Horrific

Friday July 24, 2009, 1:05 pm
Just terrible!

Friday July 24, 2009, 4:56 pm
Heat stroke not only affects us, but our fellows creatures are also vunerable to this to..

Friday July 24, 2009, 5:29 pm
Global Warming - here it is, and it is getting worse. In ottawa, canada, we have haad 5 months of below normal temperatures and daily rain. I'm sixty and have only seen this up 400 miles north of here where I grew up: the people there told on our trip last year that the weather was completely different from what anyone had ever seen: clouds every day, severe downpour every day, cool temperature in summer, warmer in winter. When I was growing up, one thing about our area was DRY weather, which made -40degree weather more bearable, and 90 degree summer temps possible to live through.
Mother Nature is not tapping on the head anymore, she is wacking us hard. Here in Ottawa, another downpour, with a Weather warning of severe thunderstorms to come, and our back yor is under 6 inches of water. Mother God help us all.....

Saturday July 25, 2009, 1:19 pm
Living here in florida , I can tell all the heat and humidity, rain have been at there wosrt... Ive got COPD, and can not even take it for a few minutes. EVERYONE HERE IN FL. DO NOT LEAVE A PET OUT , PLEASE..
I know some one w/ a pug, she was told w/in ten..10 minutes the pup could fall over and drop dead... really its that bad.. my turtles are ok, but I watch my babies I watch like a hawk...