Why Florida Gulf Coast University researchers are following dead fish 
By Elizabeth Biro US Source: WINK News 2/10/2023
Elizabeth Biro
Credit: WINK News
When you think red tide, dead fish probably come to mind, along with coughing and respiratory issues, but for one group, it’s the size and the science behind the algal blooms that matter.

While anyone looking for a beach day on Sanibel tries to avoid the dead fish, a team from FGCU’s Water School is looking for them.
 

“We’re measuring some of the dead fish counts after the red tide bloom, see which species were affected what like magnitude was the like fish, biomass and everything like that, basically how many fish in the local area died,” said Michael Kratz, an FGCU grad student.

This is an ongoing study that started after Hurricane Ian.

“So we’re basically setting up little areas with tape measures. So it’s standardized, and then measuring the fish within that and trying to find areas that represent the beach kill,” Kratz said.

 
Continue...