The waters of Biscayne Bay, once thriving with marine life, face a crisis as pollution levels rise and threaten the ecosystem. Toxins from human activity, including septic tank runoff and fertilizer pollution, have led to devastating consequences for marine species, including a die-off of 27,000 fish in 2020.
“The problem is there’s just too many people, and the infrastructure is struggling to keep up,” says Florida International University professor and ecologist Dr. Alastair Harborne.
The ongoing pollution not only impacts marine life but also poses a significant threat to South Florida’s economy, which affects everyone from commercial fishermen to the tourism industry.
As South Florida continues to grow, the future of Biscayne Bay — and the livelihoods it supports — hangs in the balance.
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