MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. -- Florida's Department of Environmental Protection confirms blue-green algae is present in Bradenton as parts of the Manatee River turn bright green.
Viewers sent us photos along the canals near Ellenton, where they have found dead fish.
A spokesperson for DEP said they can confirm the blue-green algae as it was observed and tested in the Manatee River and nearby canals.
However, the toxicity results are not complete yet.
ABC Action News reporter Nicole Grigg went out on the water with two local fishermen and this is what they saw:
Ryan McClash said he has spent his entire life in the Bradenton area and has never seen the water like this.
"It's kind of like when they dye the river green in Chicago for St. Patrick's Day, except you get a slime layer on the top and there's little green chunks in it," McClash said.
Mcclash said since the river has turned green, he has not seem the normal wildlife he usually sees daily.
"This green isn't normal," he said.
The Florida Department of Health advises residents and visitors to avoid coming into contact with algae and recommends people don't swim or fish where there is a visible bloom.
The DEP has a map where you can see where they have tested: click here.
To help DEP respond as quickly and efficiently as possible, they ask that residents and visitors to report algal blooms through the Department's hotline (855-305-3903) or online reporting system by clicking here.
