MONROE COUNTY, Fla. – A marine mystery has researchers looking for answers in the Lower Keys.
Since December, 20 critically endangered smalltooth sawfish have been reported dead, according to the latest numbers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
“This is a very large species and the size of sawfish that we see coming up the beach and eventually dying,” said Gil McRae, director of the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.
And while the smalltooth sawfish was the only species reported dead, they weren’t the only ones seeing an impact.
“That’s not something I’ve seen a fish do… ever,” said Gregg Furstenwerth, a resident of Little Torch Key.
More than a dozen species of all sizes from pinfish to grouper were observed acting erratically, spinning, and agitated.
This leaves longtime residents like Furstenwerth, who is also a technical diver, with serious concerns.
“It’s worrying if this continues, it’s the end of an ecosystem as we know it,” Furstenwerth said.
The event appears to be centered between Cudjoe and Big Pine Key, but residents have reported sightings to Local 10 from Key West to Marathon.
“You see it happen every day,” Furstenwerth said.
The diver has been diligently documenting the swirling fish since late last year.
“Do you see more and more species being affected?” asked Local 10 News anchor and environmental advocate Louis Aguirre.
“Yes,” Furstenwerth replied.
At the moment, no one knows what is behind the strange event.
So far, early diagnosis has ruled out red tide, low oxygen, disease and other pathogens.
“Our current line of inquiry focuses on potential biotoxins produced by algae in the water,” FWC’s McCrae told Local 10. “Right now, we don’t have a smoking gun associated with a specific toxin that might be causing of these issues.”
Aguirre asked McCrae if there were any dangers to the people.
“What we’re saying is, if you see a fish swimming erratically, if you catch a fish that looks unhealthy, it’s best to avoid consuming that fish”, he said.
“So far, there is no indication that there is poison in the water or poison in the fish that are normally consumed”.
Donna Hart, manager of Lower Keys Tackle, said that to her knowledge, this has only been documented domestically. The longtime Keys resident and host of 104.1 FM’s “This Week in Fishing” radio show emphasized that offshore fishing has not been affected.
“I don’t want people to be afraid to come and enjoy the Florida Keys and get in the water and go fishing and snorkeling,” he said. “No effect — no effect beyond our close waters that I now know of.
Scientists remain puzzled as they continue to focus on fish physiology and toxicology.
“The thing is we don’t know what it is,” said Dr. Martin Grosell, professor and chair of the University of Miami Rosentiel School’s Grossell Lab.
“We don’t know if this is, you know, just a preamble (or) if it will get worse. We don’t know if it will spread to other places.”
“I really think we need to get ahead of it,” he added.
Local 10’s environmental team is following this story and will air an extended report Wednesday at 5 pm and 11 pm during Don’t Trash Our Treasure.
If you have or witnessed this fish’s strange behavior, send your videos to [email protected].
The FWC released a statement Thursday, which you can read below:
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