REPORT POLLUTION &
WILDLIFE
With well over 400 square miles of bay plus, canals, rivers, and other waterbodies throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties we need your help to make sure water pollution doesn’t go unnoticed and unreported! Together we can cover more of our waterways.
Contact Tampa Bay Waterkeeper
Quick Links
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See an injured animal or suspect a crime against Florida’s fish, wildlife or natural resources?
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FWC Wildlife Alert
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Marine Mammals - Report sick, injured, entangled, or dead
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Report a Fish Kill/Algae Bloom (Saltwater or Fresh Water)
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Report Freshwater Blue-Green Algae Blooms
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Report Oil, Fuel or Hazardous Material Spills in Florida Waters:
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TBEP Online Form
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Report Waterway Markers (missing, damaged or found)
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Report a Sawfish Sighting
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Email: Sawfish@MyFWC.com
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Report a Tagged Fish
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Email: tagreturn@MyFWC.com
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Report Right Whale Sightings
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Report Manta Ray Sightings
REPORT A
FISH KILL / SALT WATER ALGAE BLOOM
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Fish Kill toll-free hotline: 1-800-636-0511
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What to report
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Location of fish kill/ algae bloom (GPS coordinates are ideal or nearest street
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address/ landmark).
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Number of fish and species, if you can identify them. Detailed observation such
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as water color, odor, etc.
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Your phone number or e-mail address so they reach you if they need more
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information.
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Evidence and location of red tide.
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REPORT A
MANATEE
(sick, injured, dead, tagged, orphaned, or distressed)
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Call: 888-404-FWCC (3922)
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Is the manatee alive or dead
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When did you see the manatee?
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Exact location
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How long have you observed the manatee?
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Approximate size
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Location of the nearest public boat ramp
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Is there a “tag” near its tail
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Your contact number for further information (optional)
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Additionally, take and share photos or videos. This will help FWC determine
what is wrong with the animal and identify it in case it leaves the area.
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REPORT A
TAGGED FISH
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Tagged Fish hotline: 1-800-367-4491
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Email: TagReturn@MyFWC.com
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Submit capture report online form
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Tag number
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Fish length
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Specific catch location
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Any unusual circumstances regarding the catch
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Notes
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When releasing a tagged fish do NOT remove the tag
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When releasing a largemouth bass for cash reward in Florida, cut the tag close to
the body wall and return the tag to FWC. -
If the fish is harvested, return the tag to Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Fisheries Dependent Monitoring,
100 8th Avenue SE,
St. Petersburg, FL 33701 -
Observe current Saltwater Recreational Regulations
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REPORT
MACROALGAE
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What to report
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Date, Time, and Location
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Size of bloom and it’s depth/location in the water column
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Type of Macro Algae, use the Marine Flora of Tampa Bay Guide to identify the type
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If seagrass is visible below the bloom
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REPORT
OIL & HAZARDOUS WASTE SPILL /
ILLEGAL VESSEL SEWAGE DISCHARGE
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Report if a spill is occurring directly into the bay or ocean
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National Response Center hotline: 1-800-424-8802 or
EPA Region 4 (FL) hotline 1-800-241-1754
REPORT A
TURTLE
(sick, injured, or dead)
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Call: 888-404-FWCC (3922)
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Is the turtle alive or dead
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Exact location
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Approximate size
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Location of closest public access point
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Is the turtle marked with spray paint? (This may indicate it’s been documented before)
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REPORT A
RIGHT WHALE SIGHTING
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Federal regulations prohibit approaching right whales within 500 yards (1500 feet)
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Report a Right Whale to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Call: 1-877-942-5343
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VHF Marine Radio:
U.S. Coast Guard Ch. 16 -
What to report
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Your name and contact
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Date and time of sighting
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Location (yours at the time of the sighting and the whale’s)
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Number of whales
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Any behavior observed
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Are you sure it was a right whale
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Any other relevant details
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REPORT
WILDLIFE LAW VIOLATIONS
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If you suspect a fish, wildlife, boating, or environmental law violation call FWC's Wildlife Alert Reward Program: 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).
REPORT A
SAWFISH SIGHTING
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Email: Sawfish@MyFWC.com
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Date and time of the sighting/encounter
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Location
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Estimated length of each sawfish
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Water depth
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Any other relevant details
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REPORT A
MANTA RAY
SIGHTING
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Call NOAA Fisheries: +1-727-824-5312
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Email at: manta.ray@noaa.gov
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VHF Marine Radio:
U.S. Coast Guard Ch. 16 -
What to report
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Your name and contact
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Date and time of sighting
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Location (yours at the time of the sighting and the whale’s)
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Number of rays
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Hillsborough County Code Violation Resources
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Environmental Concerns to the Environmental Protection Commission
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Submit environmental concern online form or call (813) 627-2600
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Illegal dumping and water restriction violation
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Submit code violation report online form or call (813) 274-6600
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What to report
○ Your name and contact information
○ Location- address or intersection
○ Date of incident
○ Details including that it’s an illegal dump site and the type and amount of debris
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Wetland Setback violation
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Sewer Breaks
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Submit water & sewer request online form or call (813) 635-5400
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Pinellas County Public Works Resources
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Report the following (and more) using the Pinellas County mobile app (Apple, Android) or call the number listed below:
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Environmental Management call (727) 464-4425
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Dumping of illegal/hazardous waste including chemicals, sediment, dog and yard waste call (727) 464-4425
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Dumping of trash, appliances and tires call (727) 210-4663
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Mangrove Trimming and Enforcement call (727) 453-3385
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Manatee County Environmental Protection Resources
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Report environmental concerns to the Environmental Protection Division
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Submit a request online or call (941) 748-4501
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