Thousands of Fish Killed Following Record Flooding

By: David Donovan | Published: Jul 22, 2024

Due to record flooding in South Florida, Biscayne Bay is reeling from its fourth major fish kill in as many years.

Heavy rains have immersed the region, causing a critical deluge of freshwater into the bay.

Freshwater Impact

This influx of freshwater has prompted low salinity and oxygen levels, bringing about the death of roughly 2,000 fish. 

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fresh fish piled on top of each other.

Unsplash user Oziel Gómez

The fact that the affected area extends over several miles, as reported by Local10.com, exemplifies the increasing frequency and severity of environmental disasters worldwide.

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“Anything But Normal”

Yoca Arditi-Rocha, executive director of The CLEO Institute released a statement on the matter.

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NAHJ Miami 2023 photocall with five people standing in front of it

X user Yoca1000

She said: “We need to understand that these events are anything but normal, and these rain bomb events are becoming more often and more frequent.”

Biscayne Bay

This common ecological disaster underscores the delicate terrain of Biscayne Bay

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Downtown Miami Biscayne Bay showing the skyline

Wikimedia Commons user Don Ramey Logan

It also raises the impact of the changing environment on the ecology of South Florida.

Warming Earth

The idea that “dry gets drier, wet gets wetter” describes how a warming earth can cause severe droughts and heavy rain. 

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Boats and sunset at Biscayne bay in Florida

Wikimedia Commons user Luis Alfredo Romero

More water vapor can be held in by the atmosphere as it warms, leading to heavier downpours and worse floods in already wet areas.

Chemical Contamination

Additionally, the stormwater is tainted with chemicals and sewage, which significantly lowers the water’s oxygen levels. 

An oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau), like those that are part of the Neurolab payload on Space Shuttle Mission STS-90, is shown in its holding tank in the Space Station Processing Facility.

NASA

Toadfish and other bottom-dwelling fish are primarily affected by this. 

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Heavier Rainfall

These serious downpour events are turning out to be more and more common because of a warming climate. 

A picture taken of Biscayne Bay and Miami Beach from Bayfront Park in Miami Shores

Wikimedia Commons user LEatUSF

Rainfall becomes heavier as the air warms and retains more moisture. 

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Rising Sea Levels

The situation gets worse as sea levels rise, resulting in more flooding in South Florida.

Beach on Virginia Key, Florida just south of Miami Beach's South Beach.

Wikimedia Commons user Marc Averette

The underlying causes of these devastating events are being addressed, and efforts are being made to lessen their impact.

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Aggressive Climate Action

Scientists and environmental organizations support more aggressive climate action to slow the earth’s overheating and reduce pollution. 

Two people at a table in a convention center for the CLEO Institute

X user CLEOInstitute

Associations like The CLEO Organization work with policymakers to fabricate environment strength and advance feasible practices.

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Urgent Action

To safeguard Biscayne Bay and other fragile ecosystems from further harm action needs to be taken. 

a large body of water with a city in the background

Unsplash user Sergio Arteaga

Drastic and urgent measures must be taken to quickly and effectively scale up solutions.

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New Solutions

Scientists are looking at innovative solutions in order to lessen the effects of global warming and the extreme weather that accompanies it.

an aerial view of a city and a body of water

Unsplash user Fernando Jorge

“Heat-reflective” paint is being used to aid in reducing temperatures by over 18 degrees.

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Sewage Concerns

The lack of wastewater infrastructure which contributes to chemical contamination of rainwater has been an issue in other states.

aerial view of green trees and brown buildings during daytime

Unsplash user Patrick Federi

Rural Alabama has experienced backyard sewage problems leaving to exposure to parasitic diseases.

The Environmental Protection Agency has launched an investigation into the state’s appropriation of funds originally earmarked for improving sewage systems in these communities. 

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