10,000 Redfish To Be Released In Areas Impacted By Red Tide

TAMPA BAY, FL -- More than 10.000 juvenile and adults redfish will be released this month along the Gulf Coast in areas that were impacted by red tide, starting in Pasco County.

The Coastal Conservation Association Florida, Duke Energy and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will begin releasing the fish in Pasco County waters on Feb. 5. The fish raised at the Duke Energy Mariculture Center in Crystal River were donated by the power company.

Each of the five upcoming releases include approximately 1,000 to 1,500 juvenile fish and 25 to 30 adult redfish per county. Tentative release dates include:

Feb. 5 – Brashers Park in Pasco County at 11 a.m.

Feb. 7 – Cockroach Bay Ramp in Hillsborough County at 11 a.m. followed by Fort DeSoto Park in Pinellas County at 3 p.m.

The red fish also will be released in Sarasota and Charlotte counties on Feb. 12 and in Lee and Collier counties on Feb. 19. The date of a release in Manatee County has not been announced.

“We’re extremely excited to begin releasing these fish now that the waters are determined to be safe,” said Brian Gorski, CCA Florida executive director. “Between these releases, encouraging anglers to catch-and-release and promoting conservation, we’re going to see this fishery improve, and we’re honored to be a part of it.”

“Duke Energy is committed to helping protect and preserve Florida’s natural environment,” said Catherine Stempien, Duke Energy Florida president. “Our Mariculture Center advances environmental stewardship throughout the state by partnering with state/local agencies and universities on restoration projects. The redfish we are donating will have long-term positive environmental impacts in the affected areas and we’re proud to play a small part in the solution to the recent red tide occurrence.”

“We are thankful for the leadership and efforts of CCA and Duke Energy on making this redfish enhancement possible,” said Eric Sutton, FWC executive director.

Anglers can become engaged by joining CCA Florida.

Image via CCA

(For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)