The process of collecting fish dies due to algal blooms in Florida

The government of Brevard County, Florida State, USA, mobilized many agencies, volunteers and even prisoners to quickly collect and clean up dead fish, bring them to landfill for landfill.

According to Florida Today, dead fish phenomenon appears along the banks of the Indian River lagoon in Brevard County, Florida, USA, at the end of March. About 30 species of dead fish of different sizes are concentrated into thick, drifting layers. drifting around Cocoa beach south.

Florida officials said that algal blooms reduced oxygen in the water, causing the fish to die.A type of brown algae following recent tidal currents has grown very strongly, predominating in the Indian lagoons.

In addition to brown algae, the lagoon also contains green algae, which caused algal blooms in 2011, killing hundreds of hectares of seagrass.

The Brevard County government mobilized many agencies to join in to quickly collect and clean up dead fish, such as river management agencies, solid waste disposal agencies, police forces and medical agencies. sacrifices, volunteers, even prisoners.

The collection of dead fish was conducted in the riparian areas of the parks in the district, then expanded to the pier and the coast.

"The mass death phenomenon caused trouble for the community. We received many reflections from the people, so we plan to help them together," Venetta Valdengo, a leader in Brevard County, said.

Volunteers participating in cleanup campaigns must wear gloves, not directly to kill dead fish.After collection, fish are put in 5 large garbage bins located at fixed points.

Trucks carrying dead fish to the central landfill and treated by burial.In the middle of the water surface, the county's waterway management agency sends boats to the floating fish body.

The sheriff's office appoints about 10-15 inmates to assist in clearing fish.Although these prisoners are light offenders, they still have to wear leg shackles when participating in work.

Due to the large number of dead fish, the cleanup is mainly done in the area of ​​fish washed ashore.For the floating fish in the water, the government advised people not to collect.

"We do not encourage people to try to reach the middle of the river to catch dead fish, because the amount of fish floating is too much. Most of them will sink to the bottom, self-decompose in the environment or become food for the crabs. ", Said Don Walker, a spokesman for Brevard County.