Fish Kill At Bradenton Apartments Under Investigation By FWC

BRADENTON, FL — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating more than a dozen reports of fish kills at the View Carlton Arms apartments in Bradenton.

The reports were filed between May 4-10, according to the FWC’s fish kill database directory. Dead fish were noted at ponds on the Carlton Arms property, as well as along the Carlton Inlet at the Braden River.

Among the species identified in the kills were mojarra, mullet, flounder, blue crab, largemouth bass, snook, blue gill, tilapia and red drum.

One resident, Jeff Riggan, told Bay News 9 that he found multiple kills at the apartment’s property, including one with about 500 dead fish.

“Well, first of all, you can’t get past the smell, that is for sure, and then you are noticing a few fish popping up," he said.

Water samples collected by the FWC at Carlton Arms and nearby waterways showed low dissolved oxygen, which commonly happens after storms, WTSP reported.

"When oxygen levels get too low, fish are unable to obtain the required amount of oxygen necessary for metabolism," Melody Kilborn, spokesperson for FWC's Southwest region, said.

The fish kills remain under investigation.