The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a fish kill on Palm Beach that left scores of colorful reef dwellers dead in the wrack line.
FWC spokeswoman Carol Lyn Parrish said a report was made to the state's fish kill hotline Thursday and that water samples are being tested for possible contaminants.
She said results were not available Saturday and there is no timeline on when they may be released.
"We have not made any statements regarding the cause of the fish kill," Parrish said.
But anglers and divers reported an upwelling of cold water recently left the reef off Palm Beach in temperatures of between 62 and 67 degrees — enough to kill tropical fish, said Lake Worth Waterkeeper Reinaldo Diaz.
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"Really sad. The Breakers reef has always been the best in our area," Diaz said.
Also, the Town of Palm Beach issued an alert Saturday afternoon that echoed the idea that an upwelling was to blame and said "state biologists have determined there is no danger due to this natural occurrence and residents should not be concerned."
It's unknown the extent of the carnage but the dead jewel-toned fish were on the beach every few feet near Root Trail on Palm Beach north of The Breakers. There was also video of the same fish dead on Juno Beach.
The shallow reef that runs much of the length of Palm Beach island is a favorite of snorkelers and divers.
In August 2010, a spate of upwellings was blamed for fatally bleaching corals off the coast of Central Palm Beach County and killing fish.
Winds, currents and eddies may cause upwellings, but they are difficult to predict.
Captain Bruce Cyr, who runs the Lady K charter fishing boat out of Lantana, said a strong north current running at up to 4.6 mph along the outside edge of the reef may have brought in water too cold for tropical fish.
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"Last week, divers were complaining about water temperatures in the lower 80s and saying they didn't need wetsuits," Cyr said. "If fish get caught in a sudden temperature change, it will cause them to go into shock."
Another culprit for fish kills is red tide, but no Karenia brevis has been observed along the east coast of Florida. The last outbreak of red tide in Palm Beach County was 2018.
To submit a report to FWC of a fish kill, call 800-636-0511, or go to myfwc.com.
Kmiller@pbpost.com
@Kmillerweather
The Link LonkJune 26, 2021 at 11:44PM
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Florida Fish and Wildlife investigating scores of colorful reef fish found dead on Palm Beach - Palm Beach Post
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