DO HERBICIDES KILL FISH OR CAUSE THEM TO LEAVE AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN SPRAYED?
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission biologists and university researchers have conducted studies on Florida water bodies that indicate that spraying does not affect the catch-ability of fish, or adversely affect bedding fish. Isolated fish kills do sometimes naturally occur due to low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. When dead plants begin to decay and the organisms that break down the plant material use the dissolved oxygen in the water, it may adversely affect the dissolved oxygen level. That is why the department requires that the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water be tested in the area to be sprayed before control activities are undertaken to avoid fish kills. These management activities are also sometimes spread out over a five or six week period to assure no adverse affects upon the dissolved oxygen levels.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission biologists and university researchers have conducted studies on Florida water bodies that indicate that spraying does not affect the catch-ability of fish, or adversely affect bedding fish. Isolated fish kills do sometimes naturally occur due to low levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. When dead plants begin to decay and the organisms that break down the plant material use the dissolved oxygen in the water, it may adversely affect the dissolved oxygen level. That is why the Department requires the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water be tested in the area to be sprayed before control activities are undertaken to avoid fish kills. These management activities are also sometimes spread out over a five or six week period to assure no adverse affects upon the dissolved oxygen levels.
