Harbormaster says low oxygen likely behind Buccaneer Lagoon fish kill; sampling ongoing

Harbormaster Curtis told the Anchorage Advisory Committee on April 16 that staff are actively sampling Buccaneer Lagoon to investigate a recent fish kill and an algae bloom. Curtis said the town is coordinating testing with Florida Gulf Coast and marine environmental teams.

"The biggest thing of that whole thing was the low oxygen. That's what killed the fish," Curtis said while describing tests and observations of milky water and a sulfur-like smell near the lagoon entrance. He added that water clarity appears to be improving in some areas and that increased baitfish and manatee sightings are signs of recovery.

Curtis described steps the town has taken: multiple sampling events, coordination with county and state agencies, and plans to assemble a water-sampling program for future monitoring. Committee members asked whether the town could identify the cause that led to the low oxygen; Curtis said tests can show what is present in the water but that pinpointing a single cause is challenging.

Members expressed relief that conditions were improving in some parts of the lagoon. The committee requested that Curtis provide updated sampling results and any additional action items at the next meeting.

Next steps: continued sampling, lab testing with partner agencies, and a future update to the committee.