Among the myriad of disheartening news circulating about, Biscayne Bay made headlines last month, first, due to a fish kill resulting from low levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water, followed by an algal bloom likely caused by decaying marine life. These events, coupled with continued seagrass die-off, are the unfortunate future of our bay unless immediate action is taken to remedy the human induced environmental pressures. It is imperative that ALL residents of Miami-Dade County understand the issues and take the necessary steps to ensure the health of the bay.
Threats to Biscayne Bay:
Sewage spills
Leaky septic tanks
Stormwater runoff
Excess fertilizer
Each of these alone provides additional nutrients to the bay water, creating more favorable conditions for algae growth which, in turn, reduces DO and diminishes the health of the seagrass. It is within our power, and is most certainly our responsibility, to return the scales, that is to say the ecosystem, to a more natural balance.