PORT ST. LUCIE — Authorities at the state and local level are looking into a significant fish die-off in a lake located within the Sawgrass Lakes area.
Approximately 1,000 tilapia and additional fish species have been found dead from August 14 to August 19, with the city and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission looking into the reason for the deaths in a lake located close to the Westport Wastewater Treatment Facility on Southwest Darwin Boulevard.
The city was informed on August 14 about dead fish in Sawgrass Lakes, as stated by city spokesperson Scott Samples. The city took immediate action, testing the oxygen levels, which came back normal, he mentioned. The city has not carried out herbicide spraying in that area since 2022, Samples noted.
At this moment, the city has only noted fish as being affected, not any other animals," Samples stated. "Port St. Lucie Utility Systems also verified that no recycled water, sewage, or chemicals have been released into this water source.
Several detailed water-quality samples were gathered and sent to a laboratory, as stated by the samples. The city is accelerating the testing process and is seeking advice from theFWC and theFlorida Environmental Protection Department
The city has been communicating and has been updating the Sawgrass Lakes HOA since August 14, Samples stated.
"FWC personnel have been in contact with Port St. Lucie Public Works staff who have been looking into the incident, and they observed low levels of dissolved oxygen along with a pH of 9, which may suggest a bloom," Jonathan Veach, a representative from theFish and Wildlife Research InstituteIn St. Petersburg, stated on August 20. "Low levels of dissolved oxygen result in fish deaths, which occur more frequently during the summer months. Port St. Lucie Public Works personnel have taken a water sample today for (harmful algal bloom) testing and sent it off today."
Individuals have been caught fishing and consuming fish from the approximately 21-acre lake, according to Bob Shonce, president of the North Panther Trace and vice president of the Sawgrass Lakes master homeowners associations. Shonce is advising people to avoid fishing or eating fish from the lake and has directed the North Panther Trace HOA irrigation system not to be used, as it takes water from the lake, he mentioned.
I'm uncertain about what's in the lake. No one has any idea what's in the lake," Shonce mentioned. "I don't want to see anyone become ill.
In June, people living in Port St. Lucie noted a significant fish die-off in a branch of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Thousands of fish, such as carp and other big types, have been removed from the Elkcam Waterway, according to residents speaking to TCPalm.
A company specializing in controlling water plants, Aquatic Vegetation Control Inc., informed TCPalm that the city has hired them to manage the canal. The Riviera Beach-based firm verified that they treated the canal on June 16 and gathered the deceased fish, but directed additional inquiries to the city. According to Samples, the treatment was carried out to eliminate vegetation obstructing the drainage system.
Tim O'HaraIs the environment reporter for TCPalm. Contact him via tim.ohara@tcpalm.com.
This piece first was published in Treasure Coast Newspapers:FWC, the city of Port St. Lucie are looking into a fish die-off in the Sawgrass Lakes neighborhood