Macroalgae cover Matlacha waterways, killing fish
“We basically know what’s happening,” research scientist Rick Bartleson said, “but it’s gonna be hard to stop this algae now that it’s started.”
Bartelson tests the water near Matlacha Park every few days. He said there is oxygen in the water, but not enough for the animals that rely on it.
The oxygen levels get worse at night which leads to more dead fish in the morning.
“In the case of fish they can swim toward higher oxygen levels sometimes, most of the time,” he said. “But sometimes they don’t make it to where the oxygen levels are higher.”
Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani says we’re seeing more algae, and not just one kind. They’re all fueled by a surge of compounds in our water like nitrogen.