The shallow waters from Key Largo north to Arsenicker Keys have been clouded by a blue-green algal bloom spreading across 175 square miles of Florida and Biscayne bays since autumn. The bloom stretches into portions of Everglades and Biscayne national parks, threatening the fragile seagrass that supports the state's fishing industry, conservationists say.

Reports indicate that the cause may be due to road construction along the famous and scenic 18-mile stretch between Miami and the upper Keys. The algae is concentrated near the road construction in waters where such a bloom has never been recorded, according to the water management district report. The road widening and bridge construction began in April 2005 after a federal judge denied an attempt by environmental groups to block it. The road is the main route connecting the Keys and mainland Florida.

Reports also implicate last year's active hurricane season. Disturbances from last year's hurricanes likely stirred up phosphorus in the water, feeding the algae.

The algae bloom has drawn considerable attention in the Florida Keys, but it has been largely ignored in Miami. That will change fast as the bloom moves north into more heavily traveled sections of the bay. As the angler interviewed in the article points out, "It's not going to be important until it passes Black Point and it gets up into Cocoplum and the Coral Gables Waterway and starts turning the bottoms of Hatterases (a high-end yacht brand) purple."

So what's to be done? One source said that a hurricane or strong tropical storm could stir things up enough to knock the bloom back. Hmmm... Hurricane or algae bloom? I'll take the algae bloom!

[Via Miami Herald]

Comments:

	Posted by dre82s, Oct-15-2006 @ 01:35 PM CDT I'll take my chaces with a Hurricane!
	Posted by steph, Oct-24-2006 @ 10:05 PM CDT i came out gvmnt cut monday just to look for some new spots(found a couple cook ones) and there was a strange merk in the water.i hope thats not the road slime syndrome.will cooler water stop it?i'm used to good vis hate to have to lern to really use a compasssss.tata
	Posted by steph, Nov-1-2006 @ 07:56 PM CST well the slime is here.stopped by a lopster spot today and vis was 5 feet.not merk like normally that grayish tint but green.ran into another frequent diver at the marina,he went out and saw the same up by hallover.the temp is down to 80 and i'm hoping that the stuff is as temp sensative as i am.
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