What happened to the reefs off Pinellas County?
Both divers and scientists began documenting patch reefs with bottom mortalities in the area offshore from Tarpon Springs to Sarasota during the first week of August. Initial volunteer and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) diver inspections have shown that some reefs have been heavily impacted, with no live animals observed. Other reefs have been impacted but still have living organisms. Reefs with no impacts have also been observed.
