IS THE MUCK IN FISH SPAWNING AREAS THE RESULT OF THE AQUATIC PLANT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM?
No, all dying and decaying plants contribute to the muck layer, but the bulk of the muck comes from the natural die-off of living native plants and invasive exotic plants. Water level stabilization for flood control purposes, and prolong drought, create conditions that result in too many plants in the shallow areas. This not only reduces fish spawning areas, but results in large muck deposits. The muck removal projects designed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission with maintenance control, help offset this problem.
