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Waters at Port Mayaca Lock showed toxin levels 60 times what the EPA considers safe

WPTV has reported on the toxic algal blooms in the waters on the Treasure Coast and how to keep residents and animals safe

Algal blooms that are harmful to humans and animals have been building up at the gates of Port Mayaca after water samples taken last month showed toxin levels 60 times what the EPA considers safe.

The algal blooms have been building up at the gates of Port Mayaca July 16 2024.jpg

By: Stephanie Susskind

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MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — Algal blooms that are harmful to humans and animals have been building up at the gates of Port Mayaca.

Water samples taken in the area at the end of June, showed toxin levels 60 times what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers safe to touch.

The blue-green slime has blanketed the area as summer temperatures soar into the 90s.

Mark Perry, the executive director of the Florida Oceanographic Society, said the bloom was treated with peroxide so it is diminishing, but he said we're not out of the woods yet.

Right now, the Army Corps of Engineers is not releasing water into the area but that could quickly change if a tropical system moves through.

“Could jump the lake up two to three feet, and then they are going have to discharge that water for public safety, which would bring that toxic algae bloom with it and that’s our fear of spreading that bloom into more of the community in South Florida.”

Mark Perry,the executive director of the Florida Oceanographic Society.png — Mark Perry, the executive director of the Florida Oceanographic Society, says everyone living near the lake, boating, or fishing needs to be on alert.

Giles Murphy owns Stuart Angler, a fishing, bait and tackle store. He's also a fishing guide.

"It's the worst three words in my whole dictionary," Murphy said of the blue-green algae.

He'd be happy to never hear those words again.

"It has just become such a repetitive problem here that is way past due to be fixed," he added. "The past two years that we haven't seen much Okeechobee runoff has been extremely noticeable, when it comes to business and the numbers and all."

Perry said more needs to be done to tackle the algae issue.

"The way to stop it is to stop the nutrient loadings from coming into the lake from north of the lake and that's where we need to focus our efforts," he said. "If we can lower the nutrient input, hopefully get the water quality better, then we won't have these huge algae blooms that we've been having."

Perry said everyone living near the lake, boating, or fishing needs to be on alert.

Giles Murphy owns Stuart Angler a fishingbait and tackle store July 2024.png — Giles Murphy, owner of Stuart Angler, says blue-green algae has been a repetitive problem in the area over the years.

"We knew it was going to occur, because of all the conditions are ripe— the warmer water temperatures, the sunlight, the rain and runoff that create nutrient loading— so we expected a large algae bloom," he said.

Perry also cautioned people keep their pets away from the algae-covered water, as it could be deadly. He also said a new water release schedule for Lake Okeechobee (LOSOM) could take effect next month, which would also help the overall situation.

The Department of Environmental Protection is now analyzing new samples, so it will take a few days to get those test results.

Residents and visitors out on the water should use caution in the presence of toxic algal blooms and take the following precautions issued by the Florida Department of Health in Martin County:

Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom.
Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae, or discolored or water that smells unpleasant.
Keep pets and livestock away from the area to avoid any contact with water. Waters where algae blooms are present are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should use an alternative source of water when algae blooms are present.
Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins.
Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly.
Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms.

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