Wildlife’s Toxic Algae “State of Emergency

Alligator... — Alligator swimming in toxic algae…Central Marine.

We are in a State of Emergency…

The Army Corp of Engineers has been discharging from Lake Okeechobee since January 29th and toxic algae from the lake has been released into our St Lucie River. We are being invaded. This is horrific for the people, but what about the animals? Thank God someone is documenting their plight….

Facebook friend, Rebecca Fatzinger, is not only a voice for the St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon, but for its wildlife. With the cries of the people “loud and clear” sometimes it seems the animals are but an afterthought for our local, state, and federal government.

I can’t help but wonder….

The Florida Wildlife Commission? The Department of Environmental Protection–have you written a statement about the wildlife implications of this bloom? What are you thinking? Are you allowed to say?

How could the St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon once have been the most bio-diverse estuary in North America? How could we be home to some the state’s most important aquatic preserves?

Thank you to Rebecca for documenting and giving us an up close look as the animals try to cope.

Heartbreaking. Disturbing. Disgusting….

This is home?

Little Blue Heron... — Little Blue Heron…SLR

Seagull at on shoreline of Atlantic Ocean, Bathtub Beach.

Pelicans diving in toxic algae--this bloom came back at from DEP 414 mpl. — Pelicans diving in toxic algae–this bloom came back at from DEP 414 mpl. Bathtub Beach.

St Lucie River wide water looking towards Roosevelt bridge.

Water coming out of St Lucie Locks from Lake Okeechobee with visible algae

….Little Blue Heron eyes dead fish in algae

Osprey waits out rain to hunt below... — Osprey waits out rain to hunt below…

Western side of C-44 Canal at S-80, St Lucie Locks and Dam. This structure discharges water from Lake Okeechobee and the agricultural basin created to drain lands into the St Lucie River/IRL. (Photo Dr Scott Kuhns, 6-22-16) — Western side of C-44 Canal at S-80, St Lucie Locks and Dam. Algae can be seen going through S80 into the SLR hurting wildlife and people. (Photo Dr Scott Kuhns, 6-22-16)

St Lucie Locks and Dam 6-25-16 Dr Scott Kuhns

This one is from Megan Remnick also Facebook friend…

Aerial of S-80 at St Lucie Locks and Dam. Visible algae flowing through S-80 from western area of C-44 towards the St Lucie River. Photo Ed Lippisch.

THANK YOU TO REBECCA FATZINGER FOR SHARING HER PHOTOS!

7-12-16 NOTE: Although there are no photographs of bottlenose dolphins in this series they are certainly swimming in algae waters further from shore where the algae is more “particulate.” Yesterday, I spoke with Nic Mader of Dolphin Ecology Project and she said she has seen dolphins swimming around in their “normal” areas on her runs. The animals are very “sit specific” (territorial) like people. I also called Dr Gregory Bossert now of Georgia Aquarium formerly of Harbor Branch and his response was that this is just one more layer in an already health-affecting system— noting the animals sicknesses such as low immune system, lobo mycosis, and lessons the animal have been prone to for over 15 years since HERA Heath Environmental Risk Assessment began. Nic has stated if she gets photos she can share she will.

This blog post I wrote in 2014 about dolphin health and freshwater pollution may be insightful: https://jacquithurlowlippisch.com/2014/06/26/fresh-water-pollution-a-destructive-force-in-the-st-lucie-riverindian-river-lagoon/
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AGENCIES TO ASSIST; please contact them.

FWC:http://myfwc.com

DEP:http://www.dep.state.fl.us/mainpage/default.htm

SFWMD:http://www.sfwmd.gov/portal/page/portal/sfwmdmain/home%20page

Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch

Indian River Lagoon

Tag Archives: Wildlife’s Toxic Algae “State of Emergency

Wildlife’s Toxic Algae “State of Emergency,” Their Unheard Cries, SLR/IRL