Volunteering To Pick Up Dead Fish? Here Are The 7 Dumpster Areas

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Volunteers who want to help with dead marine life cleanup efforts can dump rotted fish bodies in a dumpster at one of seven waterfront park locations in St. Petersburg.

Crews were seen Tuesday morning getting ready to place signs near the dumpster at Flora Wylie Park that says to dispose of trash or fish inside them. Staff has worked around the clock for about 15 days removing dead fish that have mostly been killed by the red tide, according to city officials. Friday, workers were at Flora Wylie Park with a grapple truck and stick grabbers picking up stinky fish, horseshoe crabs and eel. The shoreline and nearby water was clear of dead fish when they finished that afternoon. Four days later, more piles of fish have floated to that same area from the bay.

Employees and contractors working in the Coffee Pot Bayou area Tuesday told a Patch reporter that the worst thing about it is the smells emanating from dead fish. The last red tide Pinellas County experienced was in 2018, and it wasn't nearly as bad as the current one, the city said.

"While red tide has existed for centuries, we know that excess nutrients in our coastal waterways exacerbate and encourage the presence of harmful algal blooms, including red tide,"Florida Chief Science Officer Dr. Mark Rains said at a roundtable Tuesday hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "The blue-green algae task force is committed to working with the harmful algal bloom task force to identify gaps in our understanding, develop strategies based on sound science and thorough research to mitigate both the short-and long-term effects of harmful algal blooms."

Red tide is caused by a naturally occurring microscopic alga called Karenia brevis, the Florida Department of Health said. K. brevis produces a toxin that can kill fish and cause respiratory problems in humans. People with chronic respiratory problems should avoid red tide areas. Symptoms of red tide include coughing, sneezing and watery eyes. The health department advises to wear a mask if you are near the local waterways.

The seven dumpsters were provided to designated park areas Monday. If you decide to volunteer to help with cleanup efforts, the dumpster locations for fish deposits are listed below:

• Flora Wylie Park
• Bay Vista Park
• Grandview Park
• Demens Landing
• Crisp Park
• Maximo Moorings
• Lassing Park

You can report dead fish at seeclickfix. To report any sick or dead dolphins, manatees, sea turtles or other non-fish wildlife, call FWC Hotline at 888-404-3922.