Effect of Hurricane Donna on the Aquatic Fauna of North Florida Bay

Abstract

A hurricane caused heavy mortality among aquatic animals in north Florida Bay in September 1960. Fish and invertebrates were stranded by retreating salt water which had been driven inland, or were killed by mud suffocation or turbulence. Oxygen depletion due to decomposition of organic material caused subsequent mortality. Salinities returned to normal within 6 weeks, but dissolved oxygen concentrations remained abnormally low for a longer period. Fish and invertebrates were scarce for several months in the areas of greatest oxygen depletion. When environmental conditions again became suitable, the stricken areas were recolonized from surrounding regions. Sport-fish catches in the area declined immediately after the storm, but recovered within one to several months, depending on the locality. Catch statistics indicate that after the storm juvenile pink shrimp moved from their estuarine nursery grounds into deeper water about 60 miles offshore, where they were caught by the fishery. There is no evidence that the aquatic fauna of the area suffered any permanent damage.