Hillsborough Continuing Red Tide Cleanup Efforts

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL. – As Hillsborough County workers continue to remove dead fish from local waterways, the County is making additional locations available for residents to dispose of dead fish collected from their property.

If there are dead fish on your private property that you wish to dispose of immediately, it is advised that you double-bag the carcasses using gloves and wearing a mask, and dispose in your gray garbage cart, which will continue to be collected twice a week. Collected dead fish that have been double-bagged can also be taken to the following locations:

504 Elsberry Road, Apollo Beach (next to the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center off Dickman Road), 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily
Apollo Beach Nature Preserve, 6760 Surfside Blvd., Apollo Beach, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
E.G. Simmons Conservation Park, 2401 19^th Ave. NW, Ruskin, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
South County Community Collection Center at 13000 U.S. 41, Gibsonton, (enter from Powell Road) 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

The County has deployed the Rapid Response team and Marine Safety Unit to collect dead fish in areas where they are accumulating most. Those efforts are ongoing; about 4,500 pounds of dead fish have been collected so far.

In the meantime, residents are urged to follow the recommended precautions from the Florida Department of Health regarding red tide:

When possible, stay away from water bodies and beaches where red tide or fish killed by the toxic algae is present.
Don’t touch or swim near dead fish.
Wear shoes to prevent injuries from stepping on fish carcasses.
Keep pets away from water, sea spray, and dead fish affected by red tide.
Don’t harvest or eat shellfish from an affected area.
People with chronic respiratory problems should avoid a red tide area.
If breathing difficulties do not subside after leaving a red tide area or going indoors, contact your health care provider.

For more information on the status of red tide in Hillsborough County and how to report fish kills, please visit HCFLGov.net/RedTide. For general County information, call (813) 272-5900, the County’s main information line.