JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Dead fish, algae blooms, and dirty water were some of the problems discussed during an interview about the Guana Preserve in St. Johns County.

Captain Matt Chipperfield, a local fishing guide who works to protect the environment, spoke with Kristine Bellino on 104.5 WOKV about what he had seen in the water and why he was worried.

Chipperfield has spent years fishing in the Guana Preserve. He also helped bring attention to a plan that would have traded hundreds of acres of protected land for other land in Florida.

During the interview, he talked about how pollution could hurt fish and other animals living in the area.

What’s happening to the water?

According to Chipperfield, fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals were getting into the Guana waterways, especially from areas near Sawgrass.

He explained that fertilizers contain nitrogen and phosphorus, which help plants grow. But when too much of these chemicals gets into the water, algae can grow too quickly.

When there is too much algae, oxygen levels in the water can drop. Without enough oxygen, fish can die.

Chipperfield said he had seen hundreds of dead fish, including large speckled sea trout. He also saw smaller fish coming to the surface for air.

He explained that some of the larger trout can take more than 10 years to grow. Losing these fish could affect fishing in the area for years.

Is it safe to eat the fish?

Another concern was whether people could safely eat fish caught in the Guana Preserve.

Chipperfield said high bacteria levels and metals found in the water had raised concerns about the fish.

He also talked about fish with open sores and wounds that were not healing.

At the time of the interview, he said he did not believe people should eat fish from the affected waters until more testing was done.

He said scientists wanted to examine the fish to find out what was causing these problems.

His comments were about the conditions he had seen at that time. They do not confirm whether fish caught in the area are safe to eat today.

What can people do to help?

Chipperfield said new construction and chemicals used on lawns could be part of the problem.

He encouraged homeowners to use less fertilizer during rainy periods because rain can wash chemicals into nearby waterways.

He also suggested using more natural products for lawns and keeping grass clippings out of the water.

For companies building new homes and businesses, he suggested keeping more trees and native plants to help stop pollution from reaching the water.

What can be done to fix the water?

During the interview, Chipperfield talked about a plan to improve water quality with help from groups like the Matanzas Riverkeeper and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

One idea was to add certain types of clams and mussels to the water. These animals can help clean the water naturally.

He also asked St. Johns County commissioners to approve a water quality plan that could help get the work started.

It is not clear from the interview whether that plan was later approved or if the work has started.

Chipperfield said protecting the Guana Preserve is important because problems in the water can also hurt birds, fish, and other wildlife.

To learn more about Captain Matt Chipperfield and his work, visit his Instagram (@capt.matt.chipperfield) or Chips Coastal Charters Facebook page.

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