LARGO, Fla., Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Residents of Largo, Fla., are struggling to deal with 38 tons of dead fish recently removed from area lakes, officials say.
Gary Morse, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman, said the dead fish removed from Largo-area lakes during the last two weeks represent a disturbing trend statewide following cold January temperatures, the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times reported Tuesday.
"We're not shocked that the fish died, but the numbers -- this devastation statewide -- can be shocking even to us," Morse said.
An official at the Holiday Shores Park retirement community said so many dead fish washed ashore nearby residents were overwhelmed by the smell.
Holiday Shores community board chairwoman Pat Knight said with Largo and county officials choosing not to help, 60 senior citizens at the retirement complex chose to remove the fish from local canals themselves.
Knight told the Times during two days of hard work, the retirees removed nearly 8 tons of dead fish.
