Critically endangered Goliath grouper among thousands of dead fish removed from Sanibel beaches in the last two days
Thirty Goliath grouper carcasses – a species listed as critically endangered – and two tarpon were among the thousands of dead fish collected on Sanibel beaches in the last two days.
“Yesterday, the City removed a total of 21 large carcasses from our shores (19 Goliath Groupers & 2 Tarpon) and thousands of smaller dead sea life from the impacted areas of the beaches. Thus far today, the City has removed an additional 11 Goliath Groupers from our beaches,” a fish kill update report issued by the city Wednesday afternoon states.
The worst area among the beaches was at Lighthouse Beach, where the wash-up was estimated at “approximately 40 dead sea life every foot” and the red tide was in ‘very heavy presence” with a strong odor detected.
Additional labor and equipment was sent to the beaches on Wednesday, including two boats to remove dead fish from the canals, the city of Sanibel release states.
Florida Fish and Wildlife has responded and is continuing its inspection of the dead Goliath groupers for research purposes.
According to the release, the large carcasses inventory for Tuesday, July 31, (one day total; not cumulative) is :
Goliath Grouper – 19
2 @ 150 lbs.
@ 175 lbs.
4 @ 200 lbs.
2 @ 80 lbs.
10 @ 40 lbs.
Tarpon – 2
1 @ 175 lbs.
1 @ 250 lbs.
The first-light-of-day report by City of Sanibel Public Works staff reports the following conditions:
Lighthouse Beach
Current Conditions: Poor
Red Tide: Very heavy presence
Odor: Strong
Deposits: Approximately 40 dead sea life every foot
Sanibel Boat Ramp
Current Conditions: Fair
Red Tide: Present
Odor: Slight
Deposits: Approximately 10 dead sea life every 10 feet
Algiers Beach (Gulfside City Park)
Current Conditions: Fair
Red Tide: Present
Odor: Present
Deposits: Approximately 20 dead sea life every 10 feet
Tarpon Bay Beach
Current Conditions: Fair
Red Tide: Slight presence
Odor: Moderate
Deposits: Approximately 5 dead sea life every 10 feet
Bowman’s Beach
Current Conditions: Fair to Good
Red Tide: Slight presence
Odor: Present
Deposits: Approximately 10 dead sea life every 10 feet
Blind Pass
Current Conditions: Moderate
Red Tide: Slight to Moderate presence
Odor: Present
Deposits: Approximately one dead sea life every foot
Turner Beach Park
Current Conditions: Good to Excellent
Red Tide: Not present
Odor: None
Deposits: None
“Based on tides, winds and currents, these conditions may alter quickly and significantly,” officials said.
Anyone who encounters a dead sea life washed ashore on private property that is too large to be removed by hand, is asked to email address and location information to: j.zimomra@mysanibel.com with an attached, photo if possible.