Copyright 1998 Stuart News Company
Fort Pierce News (Fort Pierce, FL)
May 15, 1998
SECTION: Lifestyles; Pg. B1
LENGTH: 457 words
HEADLINE: FISH KILLS IN RIVERS FAIL TO DAMPEN UPCOMING FESTIVAL
IN FORT PIERCE
BYLINE: Andrew Conte of the News staff
BODY:
Biologists with the state Department of Environmental Protection
advise people that fish that appear to be healthy are safe to
eat. They also say that swimmers should not be afraid to go in
the lagoon or rivers.
FORT PIERCE - Despite several recent fish kills in local waters,
organizers of a Fort Pierce festival hope to lure people back
to the rivers this weekend. Organizers of the Seafest and Fishing
Frenzy expect more than 7,000 people, topping turnouts at the
first two years of the festival.
Volunteers and event planners at the St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce,
which is sponsoring the festival - which includes fishing tournaments,
a carnival and food booths - said they do not expect anyone to
be frightened away by the thousands of fish deaths in the Indian
River Lagoon, St. Lucie River and Taylor Creek since March.
"We haven't had any (sick) fish questions at all,"
said Susan Skinner, chairwoman of the three-day event that begins
Friday. "I don't think it will be a problem because we haven't
heard any concerns."
More people have registered for the festival's two fishing
tournaments - in-shore and off-shore events - than at the same
time in past years, organizers said.
Four days before the festival, 30 people have signed up for
each of the tournaments, up from 17 last year, said Joni Smith,
tournament organizer.
The in-shore tournament will take place in the lagoon between
Melbourne and Jensen Beach. State biologists are investigating
a kill in that area in which thousands of lesion-ridden fish died.
Biologists with the state Department of Environmental Protection
advise people that fish that appear to be healthy are safe to
eat. They also say that swimmers should not be afraid to go in
the lagoon or rivers.
Nearby, in downtown Fort Pierce, thousands of fish died during
an unrelated incident in Taylor Creek last week. That water empties
into the lagoon.
DEP biologists blamed those deaths on depleted oxygen levels
in the water. Bacteria in the water consumed most of the oxygen,
killing fish that cannot breathe from the air, scientists said.
"If someone doesn't want to touch the fish, they don't
have to," Skinner said.
Even if people are squeamish about going near the water, the
festival will have many other attractions, said Lisa Mowers, the
chamber's event organizer. There will be a carnival along the
river, food booths, a petting zoo and four music stages, featuring
jazz, blues, rock and classical music artists.
"I don't think there are any kinds of entertainment we
missed," Mowers said. "The public should be quite happy
because everyone should be able to find their niche."
For more information, contact the St. Lucie County Chamber
of Commerce at 595-9999.
LOAD-DATE: May 15, 1998