September 28, 2022

Brevard County’s Florida Health Department warns against killing fish

contact:
Cynthia Leckey, EH Director
brevard.ehs@flhealth.gov
321-633-2100

viera, florida—Brevard County’s Florida Department of Health (DOH-Brevard) is urging residents to be aware of local “fish kills,” the sudden appearance of dead fish in lakes, rivers, or ponds.

It’s amazing to witness fish death and although there are many reasons why fish death occurs, most are natural causes. The major causes are changes in water quality such as salinity, dissolved oxygen and temperature. Changes in water quality are often caused by natural phenomena such as heavy rainfall, lake turnover, and algal blooms. Fish casualties often increase during spring and summer.

Eating fish can be an important part of a healthy diet, but there are health risks associated with consuming water contaminated by other seafood or fish kills, or coming into contact with fish. The following are general precautions.

• Do not eat, collect or use fish, shrimp or crab found dead or dead in affected areas or where there are dead fish.
• Do not harvest or eat shellfish from water areas closed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, or areas with large numbers of spoiled or dead fish.
• Do not harvest fish, shrimp, or crabs that are behaving erratically, have wounds or ulcers, or appear diseased.
• Do not swim or play in areas with distressed or dead fish. In case of contact with water, immediately wash the exposed area thoroughly with soap and clean water.
• Do not let your pet swim or drink in water where fish are being killed. If your pet comes in contact with water, immediately wash the fur thoroughly with soap and clean water.
• Affected items that have come in contact with water should be washed thoroughly with soap and clean water or treated with a bleach solution (1/4 cup of household bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water) before continuing use. ) must be disinfected.
  • After cleanup is complete, dry the affected items to prevent mold growth.
• If you believe you have become ill as a result of consuming or coming into contact with water contaminated with fish, other seafood, and/or fish kills, contact your doctor.

If you have any other health questions or concerns about killing fish, please call DOH-Brevard (321-633-2100) or brevard.ehs@flhealth.gov.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) maintains a toll-free fish kill hotline (1-800-636-0511) for reporting fish kills and/or the location of sick or unusual fish. When reporting fish deaths, keep the following in mind:

1. Date and time when the incident was first recorded
2. Fish species
3. current weather conditions
4. Watercolor anomalies (red tide, blue-green algae, etc.)
5. Location (including GPS coordinates if possible)
6. Condition of fish (attach a photo if you have one)

Reports may also be submitted on the FWC website., Via the FWC Reporter app or email FWC fishkillhotline@myfwc.com. If you call after hours or on the weekend, a biologist will get back to you the next business day.

If you discover an unknown substance in a lake or body of water and suspect that the fish died from a toxic spill, contact the Florida Emergency Management Department’s 24-hour State Observatory at 850-815-4001 or 1-800. -320). -0519.

About the Florida Department of Health

Nationally accredited by the Board of Public Health Accreditation, the department works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. increase.

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