Posts Tagged ‘fish kill’

I’m not surprised that the FWC has added to the closure of snook season.

On September 2nd, there will be a meeting to discuss the rest of the year regarding the harvesting of snook.

Take a look at the whole press release fro FWC here:

FWC extends emergency snook-fishing closure

The recent cold weather has really put a hurting on Florida’s fresh and saltwater populations. The list of fish that were reported being killed around the state is extensive. Tarpon, grouper, snook, mojarro, blue gills, bass, etc. I honestly am a little depressed about the possible long term effects on the fishery.

Most hard hit were the species that reside in tropical climates like snook. These fish thrive in the normally warm waters of South Florida. Unfortunately, so do a lot of critters that don’t belong here. Over the last few years, non-native species have been getting a lot of press. Animals that have escaped or been release by pet owners that could no long take care of them. Things like the armored catfish which are creating a serious problem around the state. Especially, around Lake Okeechobee, where they are undermining the dike.

Armored Catfish

Pythons have become such an issue that the State of Florida has started to license hunters to eradicate them.

Well, as I was reading the newspaper this evening, I was struck by a possible upside of the recent cold weather. Along with the native species that have been damaged by the cold, some of the invasive species have been effected too.

As this article shows, “PSL pacu eclipsed world record“these invaders are not only living, but prospering in our rivers, canals and rivers. One of the most important parts of the article to me is this quote:

Grant Gilmore, Ph.D. a marine biologist, verified the find as a pacu Wednesday. Another measuring about nine inches was also found Wednesday near the same location. Gilmore said some experts have stated that pacu are not breeding in Florida waters. After cutting open the fish Wednesday morning, Gilmore was surprised at what he found.

“It looks like the St. Lucie River is becoming the Amazon of the north,” he said. “She was a gravid female getting ready to spawn. She had two large gonads filled with large eggs.”

Maybe the recent cold spell will help to slow the proliferation of the numerous invasive species. Hopefully a little bright spot.

The FWC wasted no time reacting to the recent cold weather fish kill by closing the Spring snook season. Also protected in this order are bonefish and tarpon.

I am not surprised that the closure was enacted. I am surprised and impressed by the speed that it happened.

The re-opening of snook in September is not written in stone. I suspect the closure may be extended for the rest of the year. Some anglers fear that this maybe the first step to a permanent ban on the harvesting of snook. I sure hope not, but for now, let’s keep our fingers crossed that the worst of the winter is behind us and the water will warm quickly.

For the complete story from the FWC visit this article: FWC responds to widespread cold-weather saltwater fish kills

I wish I had something good to say or a lighthearted comment, but unfortunately, the news is bad. The extended cold has cause a fish kill of historic scale.

The damage may be catastrophic. I have seen the snook cold before, but I have never seen the cold leave so many species dead and dying. In one small area, we saw snook, trout, tarpon, redfish, ladyfish, pompano, mullet, pufferfish, triggerfish, grouper, snapper and multiple types of baitfish lying dead in the water and on the shoreline. Frighteningly, this is a scene being repeated from one end of the state to the other and on both coasts.

We are currently waiting for this video to be vetted by CNN, so hopefully, it will be on CNN very soon.

It looks like the weather will  be warming over the next week. Sadly, many of the fish that are dead are breeding stock females. Those loses are not replaceable. This may have long lasting effects for generations to come.

For more information and current updates visit the folks at the Snook Foundation.