Salty Dog Loc: Punta Gorda, Florida

We are losing our salt water fish here by the ton. First from 2017 until January this year we had a Red Tide that killed millions of fish, and estimated 1 million Sea Birds, plus Manatees, Dolphins, Sea Turtles and more. Now it's all back in full force again. No chance for any spawn to survive this, nor the breeder fish that keep the species going. Worse, it has now entered Charlotte Harbor where previously fish were protected. You won't here a lot about it since this area relies big time on tourists/snow birds for the local economy, but it's hard to ignore the smell of thousands of dead and decomposing fish in too many areas. EPA/Florida Wildlife Commission are great with lip service, but obviously, I repeat, obviously, they don't give a crap as long as Big Agri pays off the politicians. Those planning to vacation here and who want to fish; do you homework before making your deposits and find out too late there is no fishing. Just a heads up.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/myfwc/49158338588/in/album-72157669394813208/?fbclid=IwAR3G9Nkg2vqJEerDC19OvFiF8f-8Oxi1ikPM8ptgGKY7Ql8XvZrF__Tgn3I

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

WOW

Covers a lot of real estate.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Anyone know why?

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

That Red Tide is very, very nasty stuff. I was in Port Aransas, TX. when it hit and it destroyed the good fishing Port A had down to zippo in a very short time. I never went back because of it.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Google it!

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

THANK YOU, Salty Dog, for the heads up. You have done many, a great service. This forum covers many people, but certainly not enough, but it is a start. Thank you again.

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

A friend lost a bunch of catfish in his pond, that gets a lot of its water from a field that they alternate corn and soybeans every other year. Right after a heavy rain in the spring. During planting season.

Yes I have a friend.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

OZ, You have many, many friends. Many more than you realize.

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Thank you!

Two way street by the way.

Salty Dog Loc: Punta Gorda, Florida

Fertilizer. Way too much fertilizer allowed to enter the water via fresh water tributaries and runoff into the canals here. Biggest contributor is Lake Okeechobee via the Caloosahatchee River, but also the Everglades "Sea of Grass" and all the lawns that have run off that winds up in canals connected to salt water and other fresh water tributaries like the Peace and Myakka Rivers on this SW Florida coastline.
Same problem on the East Coast, but to a lesser degree....so far.
Explore the site to the link above. You will find photos and specific reports on various fish kills throughout the State, not just this SW region. Some reports list the species, others do not. Very very sad. This is happening all over the world; not just from Red Tide, but all kinds of man made disasters. Makes me sick, but as a human being, I also have to acknowledge I'm part of the problem since I use the products that create the toxins and poisons that are in the environment. Catch 22.

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

Solution? There is no quick fix. We(humanity) have done a number on our world and continue to. Cause? Greed mostly. Those of us who have reached the tender age of our "golden" years have seen a huge shift in the way life is lived. Millions of families thrived because mom and dad had a business I.e. Shoe store, drug store, gift shop, gas station etc. etc. They are all but gone, why? Walmart, Kmart, Target, and on and on. You have to have insurance. Medical, Life, Car, and the insurance industry drives the stock market and the stock market drives the economy. Big Agriculture, Big Pharmaceuticals, Big Technology. We all suffer the effects. I have been fishing all my life. I have been eating what I catch all my life. Now it seems there are places where you can't do that because the fish are toxic. Unbelievable. (To me). I flew over the Cuyahoga River in Ohio one time and it was on fire. The problems are huge, our system is broken, our society's values are skewed. What can we do at this late stage of our lives? I don't know. Consume less, poison less, hate less, clean what we can, love with our hearts and PRAY. We each make a difference. It's a better world with us in it. It doesn't have to be a national forum like Big Media. Just speak out where we are. Show a different way to be. We are the "Love Generation" we can help by being that again. Love one another, love our environment, love our nation. NUFF SAID,

Raw Dawg Ron Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

Just SAD! Most inshore fish are shut down for harvest. Even bait fish took a hit, little pin fish hard to find in Tampa Bay. Subdivisions and golf courses now over fertilizing with Big Ag too! Just too much going on with algae growth! Stopped selling hi nitrogen fertilizer but folks buy tons and store it, still over fertilizing! Look at all the green grass in winter time. Lots of water and fertilizer to stay so lush and green?

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Here in NC we don't have the red tide but we have the farmers planting within inches, yes inches of the run off ditches. No buffer what so ever. Can't build a house within 100' of the water which is reasonable with the rising waters who would want to. Oh that's right Nags Head beach owners. Sure insurance pays for the structural damage, but who pays for the washed out debris? We do in one way or another.

But farmers can plant within inches!!!! We do get the down pours in the warmer months and yes the waters are just loaded with chemicals. Between gill nets and farmers lack of respect for the watermen there is only one to blame. Politicians that let this crap go on. Makes one wonder why do we vote?

Rusty331

I live on the coast of North Carolina and I could see where a cover-up could be made for reasoning mentioned. IF , this became public I would imagine more would be done to stop this problem. If it is already known RedTide will pass given enough time they should know how to do prevention. Especially if they are receiving funding for what's going on. THERE ARE SOME THAT WOULD LOVE TO MAKE IT PUBLIC , just find 'em.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

And you said it well, thank you.