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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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REPORT A 
FISH KILL / SALT WATER ALGAE BLOOM

  • Fish Kill toll-free hotline: 1-800-636-0511

  • FWC Reporter app
    (
    Apple, Android)

  • FWC online form

  • What to report

    • Location of fish kill/ algae bloom (GPS coordinates are ideal or nearest street

    • address/ landmark).

    • Number of fish and species, if you can identify them. Detailed observation such

    • as water color, odor, etc.

    • Your phone number or e-mail address so they reach you if they need more

    • information.

    • Evidence and location of red tide.

manatee

REPORT A 
MANATEE
(sick, injured, dead, tagged, orphaned, or distressed)

  • Call: 888-404-FWCC (3922)

  • What to report

    • Is the manatee alive or dead

    • When did you see the manatee?

    • Exact location

    • How long have you observed the manatee?

    • Approximate size

    • Location of the nearest public boat ramp

    • Is there a “tag” near its tail

    • Your contact number for further information (optional)

    • 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.

Hands Holding Fish

REPORT A 
TAGGED FISH

  • Tagged Fish hotline: 1-800-367-4491

  • Email: TagReturn@MyFWC.com

  • Submit capture report online form

  • What to report

    • Tag number

    • Fish length

    • Specific catch location

    • Any unusual circumstances regarding the catch

  • Notes

    • When releasing a tagged fish do NOT remove the tag

    • 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

Macroalgae - Sargassum natans

REPORT  
MACROALGAE

  • TBEP online form

  • What to report

    • Date, Time, and Location

    • Size of bloom and it’s depth/location in the water column

    • Type of Macro Algae, use the Marine Flora of Tampa Bay Guide to identify the type

    • If seagrass is visible below the bloom








       

oil spill

REPORT 
OIL & HAZARDOUS WASTE SPILL /
ILLEGAL VESSEL SEWAGE DISCHARGE

Sea Turtle

REPORT A 
TURTLE
(sick, injured, or dead)

  • Call: 888-404-FWCC (3922)

  • What to report

    • Is the turtle alive or dead

    • Exact location

    • Approximate size

    • Location of closest public access point

    • Is the turtle marked with spray paint? (This may indicate it’s been documented before)

       

right whale

REPORT A 
RIGHT WHALE SIGHTING

  • Federal regulations prohibit approaching right whales within 500 yards (1500 feet)

  • Report a Right Whale to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

  • Call: 1-877-942-5343

  • VHF Marine Radio:
    U.S. Coast Guard Ch. 16

  • What to report

    • Your name and contact

    • Date and time of sighting

    • Location (yours at the time of the sighting and the whale’s)

    • Number of whales

    • Any behavior observed

    • Are you sure it was a right whale

    • Any other relevant details






       

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REPORT A  
FRESH WATER
ALGAE BLOOM

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REPORT  
WILDLIFE LAW VIOLATIONS

  • If you suspect a fish, wildlife, boating, or environmental law violation call FWC's Wildlife Alert Reward Program: 1-888-404-FWCC (3922).

Image by David Clode

REPORT A 
SAWFISH SIGHTING

Manta Ray

REPORT A 
MANTA RAY
SIGHTING

  • CalNOAA Fisheries: +1-727-824-5312

  • Email at: manta.ray@noaa.gov

  • VHF Marine Radio:
    U.S. Coast Guard Ch. 16

  • What to report

    • Your name and contact

    • Date and time of sighting

    • Location (yours at the time of the sighting and the whale’s)

    • Number of rays



    •  

Hillsborough County Code Violation Resources

Pinellas County Public Works Resources

  • Report the following (and more) using the Pinellas County mobile app (Apple, Android) or call the number listed below:

Manatee County Environmental Protection Resources

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