Lake Kissimmee

[SC53]

If this doesn’t make you mad nothing will.

I think, like they do, that this is part of the Lake Okeechobee problem. 

 

 

[Fishing_FF]

I am saddened by what I witnessed the airboat do, but there is no more deniability by FWC that this is occurring. Like many in Florida, I've seen the boats with herbicides go out. I've heard the stories about indiscriminate spraying. Until now FWC has always been able to claim this doesn't actually happen, that is just stories. Hopefully this footage is enough to stop the destruction of the great natural resource we have here in Florida. 

[NittyGrittyBoy]

I've fished Kissimmee growing up. Sad to see. I guess I understand their logic, to kill certain species, but to be reckless and not care, is another thing.

[SC53]

FFF, I remember fishing Grassy island years ago.  I was shocked last year to see it had almost disappeared. I thought at the time something was wrong but could only guess.  With this video, now we know.

 

NittyGritty, the only spraying I understand is when it is used to clear a waterway for navigation.  Other than that, they are killing our lakes, rivers and wildlife. The hyacinth they are spraying can be removed by mechanical harvest.

 

We have seen them spraying the St. John’s river all the way up the bank into the trees and willows.

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Does the FWC offer any reason for all this? 

[SC53]

I haven’t seen or heard anything NGB.  My guess is they are doing some backpedaling now or will be soon.

It was always an individuals word against theirs in the respect to seeing the spraying. Now with this video, there’s video evidence.

 I’ll be curious to see what happens.

[soflabasser]

Saw the video. Hopefully the state finds a solution that keeps the waterways open and at the same time does not negatively affect the native wildlife.

[geo g]

The governor should cut all funds for this until an investigation is completed.  Then individuals responsible should be put in jail.  Someone is getting rich from this spraying and the amount of product being used.  When you come down to the bottom line, it's all about greed and corruption.

[hawgenvy]

FWC is theoretically a protector of wildlife and an advocate for healthy ecosystems and for recreational fishing. I can see why they might want to reduce harmful invasive species and perhaps assist in clearing choked waterways. But that they perpetrate harmful indiscriminate destruction is news to me. If true, it is horrible and must be addressed. What in the world is motivating the FWC to do this?

[Koz]

It seems to me that more than likely the issue is employees that are just too lazy to target the invasive species and instead just spray everything. An employee on the boat sees all of that vegetation and can't be bothered to take his time and pick out targets.

 

Ultimately, the FWC is responsible but they should probably also launch an internal investigation.

[SC53]

I can only speculate Hawgenvy but my guess is someone is getting “paid” for all this spraying. Plus the spraying contractors may be getting paid per gallon so they spray everything. Probably a little of what Koz said too, lazy workers who don’t target but spray everywhere.

[Alec McMillan]

Wow that is terrible. Very saddening to see how they are killing off wildlife like that. The FWC needs to stop this

[SC53]

Alec, fortunately a lot of the wildlife can escape the spraying by flying away.  But the native grasses, pads, underwater plants and trees cannot.  This is where the real damage is being done...to the fisheries that rely on that vegetation. All of you that have ever fished there, and many lakes in Florida, would be amazed at what they look like now. 

[frogflogger]

I saw them spraying gourd neck spring area of lake apopka which the state has spent millions trying to reclaim - without vegetation the money is wasted