One fish, two fish, redfish: Drug fish

Photo: Andy Distrubell tested this large redfish caught near Anna Maria Island. Photo: Captain David White.

A recently released study builds on previous research and leaves no doubt that Florida’s fish have a drug problem.

Local anglers and researchers from Florida International University (FIU) joined throngs of recreational fishers last summer in search of the ever-popular red drum – commonly known as redfish. The goal was to test blood samples for 94 pharmaceutical contaminants.

All 15 fish caught around Tampa Bay tested positive for a heart medication. Only seven of the 113 sampled throughout nine Florida estuaries were clean.

The Miami-based Bonefish and Tarpon Trust (BTT) commissioned the study as part of its extensive research into the issue. Dr. Aaron Adams, director of science and conservation for the BTT, said that if the drugs are in redfish, “they are certainly in every other organism in our coastal waters. So, yeah, that’s a big concern.”

“We have a coastal fish that is exposed to pharmaceuticals that we know will probably cause problems with feeding activity, migratory behavior, survival and reproduction,” Adams elaborated. “In addition, a number of the pharmaceuticals detected, we have absolutely no idea what the effects might be.” Andy

The redfish research follows a 2022 study by the same group that found a plethora of pharmaceutical contaminants in all bonefish sampled from Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. Dr. Jennifer Rehage, a fish ecologist from FIU, led both initiatives.

Researchers found 58 various drugs in the bonefish, and each averaged seven. One contained 17 different pharmaceuticals.

While the local redfish sampled did […]

Full article: One fish, two fish, redfish: Drug fish