WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – Dozens of dead fish and a strong odor raised concerns Wednesday evening at Newton Park along Lake Apopka, prompting questions from park visitors and a News 6 viewer who asked the station to investigate.
When News 6 arrived at the park, dead fish could be seen floating in the water and washed up against shoreline vegetation, accompanied by the smell of decay.
Sam Mancuso said he first noticed the problem while walking near the lake inside the park.
“At first we thought it was sewage gone bad because we had never experienced anything like all these dead fish before,” Mancuso said. “As we walked along the edge where a lot of the birds nest, we saw so many of the fish had washed in and got caught up against the vegetation.”
Mancuso said he was concerned because wildlife in the area appeared to be avoiding the dead fish.
“There are ospreys here. There are eagles here. There’s alligators here,” he said. “Apparently, they don’t want to eat these dead fish, so who knows.”
News 6 contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which said it had not received any reports of dead fish at Newton Park as of Wednesday evening.
A representative said a biologist would be notified Thursday.
Several people visiting the park Wednesday evening also complained about the smell and said they were concerned about how it could affect families and children who frequent the area.
In a response Thursday morning, Florida wildlife officials told News 6 that the fish found in Winter Garden are tilapia that died in a mortality event attributed to recent cold weather conditions.
Not only that, but FWC said in a statement that it’s received over 450 reports of fish kills since Feb. 1 “that we suspect to be due to the low temperatures,” spanning the following non-exhaustive list of afflicted counties and species:
- Counties: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Franklin, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Volusia.
- Saltwater species: Snook, Tarpon, Pompano, Mutton Snapper, Mangrove Snapper, Lane Snapper, Jack Crevalle, Sheepshead, Scrawled Cowfish, Ladyfish, Spotted Seatrout, cowfish, Gafftopsail Catfish, Bonnethead Shark, Mojarra, Barracuda, Cownose Ray, Spotted Eagle Ray, Grey Angelfish, Amberjack, Atlantic Croaker, Atlantic Stingray, Needlefish, Spadefish, Sand Perch, Pilchard, Leather Jacket, Nurse shark, Gulf Toadfish, Spotted Spoon-nose eel, unidentified octopus, unidentified tunicate, unidentified starfish.
- Freshwater species: Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie
Fish kills can be reported to the FWC by calling 800-636-0511 or going online at myfwc.com/reportfishkill.