STUDY FINDS DRUGS IN FLORIDA REDFISH MOTE MARINE LAB HITS 30 YEARS IN THE KEYS

Research Shows Needs For Wastewater Improvements

Ayear-long study by Florida International University (FIU) and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) discovered pharmaceutical contaminants in the blood and other tissues of redfish in Florida waters.

This research follows a similar study of bonefish in the Florida Keys, which revealed high levels of pharmaceutical contamination. This new study shows that these waterborne contaminants are a concern statewide.

“The results underscore the urgent need to modernize Florida’s wastewater treatment systems,” said Jim McDuffie, BTT president and CEO. “Human-based contaminants like these pose a significant threat to Florida’s recreational fishery, which has an annual economic impact of $13.9 billion and directly supports more than 120,000 jobs.”

Scientists and volunteer guides and anglers sampled redfish in nine of Florida’s most important estuaries: Pensacola, Apalachicola, Cedar Key, Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Florida Bay, Northern Indian River Lagoon, St. Augustine and Jacksonville.

Similar to the results of the previous bonefish study, pharmaceuticals were found in all of the estuaries sampled, with an average number of 2.1 drugs per fish and a maximum of five. Only seven out of the 113 sampled fish had zero drugs in their system. On average, 25.7% of the fish exceeded a level of pharmaceuticals considered safe, which equates to one-third of the therapeutic levels in humans.

“These studies of bonefish and redfish are the first to document the concerning presence of pharmaceuticals in species that are important to Florida’s recreational fisheries,” said Jennifer Rehage, FIU professor and the study’s lead researcher. “Given the impacts of many of these pharmaceu- ticals on other fish species and the types of pharmaceuticals found, we are concerned about the role pharmaceuticals play in the health of our fisheries. We will continue this work to get more answers to these concerning questions.”

Cardiovascular medications, opioid pain relievers and psychoactive medications were most commonly detected (from highest to lowest detections). The antiarrhythmic medication flecainide and the opioid pain reliever tramadol were detected in over 50% of the redfish. The antipsychotic medication flupentixol was detected above safe levels in one in five of the redfish samples. These are very concerning levels of exposure for redfish.

Some 5 billion prescriptions are filled each year in the U.S., yet there are no environmental regulations for the production or disposal of pharmaceuticals worldwide. Pharmaceutical contaminants originate most often from human wastewater and are not sufficiently removed by conventional water treatment. They remain active at low doses, can be released constantly, and exposure can affect all aspects of fish behavior, with negative consequences for their reproduction and survival. Pharmaceutical contaminants have been shown to affect all aspects of the life of fish, including their feeding, activity, sociability, and migratory behavior.

“Florida is a leader in addressing water quality issues and wastewater infrastructure, including converting septic systems to sewage treatment,” said Kellie Ralston, BTT’s vice president for conservation and public policy.

“The results of this study indicate that there are additional opportunities for improvement by retrofitting existing wastewater treatment plants with innovative technologies, like ozone treatment, to remove pharmaceuticals and requiring such technology on new wastewater facilities.”

A summary of the study’s findings is at bonefishtarpontrust.org.

Ceo Joins The Honorary Conch Ranks

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

In the Florida Keys, scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory work to advance critical coral reef restoration in hopes of bringing back an ailing reef tract. At local schools, educators with Mote join the classroom to teach students about the research, the accomplishments and the work ahead.

On March 31, Mote’s scientists gathered with local Keys stakeholders to celebrate 30 years of marine research on the island chain. At Ocean Reef Club, scientists discussed some of the ongoing coral restoration research, outplanting efforts off the island’s shores, expansion of nurseries in the Upper Keys and other Mote missions on red tide and seagrass.

Michael Crosby, president and CEO of Mote, credited then-state Rep. Holly Raschein as being the “champion for coral reefs and Mote.” Crosby recalled a time several years ago when he traveled to the state’s capital to discuss the urgency surrounding the reefs and the support needed to begin the restoration.

“She understood they were going to be extinct before our eyes. She understood that we really need to do something different,” Crosby said. “She listened to our proposal for a whole paradigm, sciencebased restoration and community engagement.”

Since then, the Florida Legislature has regularly contributed around $1 million for Mote’s coral restoration activities, which have resulted in 173,000-plus coral outplants restored to Florida’s coral reef. Raschein, now a Monroe County commissioner, said she couldn’t say no to Crosby’s request for support. She remembers being pulled off the House floor during the throes of discussion and debate to see Crosby.

“I remember like it was yesterday. He’s got his sandals on in the Capitol. I’m sitting there and he’s telling me these things. For me, it was an absolute no-brainer. We were studying it and we knew what the issue was, but what were we going to do about it?” she said.

“Mote had the plan.”

Speaking before the audience at Ocean Reef Club, Raschein lauded Crosby’s mission and passion to restore corals and Mote’s growth with new land-based nurseries in Islamorada and Key Largo the last few years. She ended her speech by presenting Crosby the highlycoveted Honorary Conch certificate.

“These certificates are made

ALEX RICKERT alex@keysweekly.com