Hundred thousands of fish are washing up dead in the Indian River Lagoon in Florida in recent days in one of the area’s most massive fish kills in recent memory.
Here is what we know — and don’t know — about what has happened.
What happened?
Since last Friday, hundred thousands of fish encompassing 30 or more species have died in the Indian River Lagoon, leaving fish carcasses from Titusville to Melbourne, Florida.
What do biologists think caused it?
A: Several species of algae have been blooming in the lagoon since January, predominately a species called Aureoumbra lagunensis, also known as “brown tide.” It’s shown up in lagoon samples in 2005, but not at bloom levels until 2012.
What’s the real reason behind?
The massive, horrendous, shocking and sad fish kills happening in and around the Indian River Lagoon represent the political corruption infecting the state of Florida.
There are no regulations to provide numerical standards for mercury and sulfates in Florida waters.
There are no regulations to allow local government to stop phosphorous and nitrogen pollution in Florida waters.
And no support for the U.S. EPA to regulate contaminants and enforce against violations in Florida.
Finally, coastlines aren’t protected from massive overdevelopment.
There is no need for science to tell us what’s wrong with Florida’s waterways and the cascade of destruction from Florida Bay stretching north along both coasts.
We know exactly what is wrong: voters who don’t care, don’t vote, or vote for candidates and incumbents who represent institutionalized corruption.
The pollution starts at the top in the executive branch of government and spreads out in a toxic stream as vast as the pollution spreading from Lake Okeechobee.
There is no mystery, why. We don’t require scientists sifting through diseased tissue of dead manatees and dolphin.
There is just one cause: politicians elected by Florida voters.
Here another one:
There is only one way out: at the polls in November. Get something moving!
