As Scientists and Marine Biologists, along with the Miami Dade County Chief Bay Officer, Irela Bague, warn that Biscayne Bay is at a tipping point, more attention is being focused on human actions that are adversely affecting ecosystems.
As sea levels rise, in low-lying neighborhoods, like those surrounding the Little River, buildings that still have in-ground septic systems are failing. This is causing untreated sewage to enter the water table and then into the Little River, which leads directly into Biscayne Bay.
As nutrients and trash are improperly disposed of, discarded, or directly dumped into the stormwater system or the canals and rivers, the pollution runs into Biscayne Bay. This is significantly disrupting the local ecosystem.
There has been a massive seagrass die-off in the central Biscayne Bay region. This is critical habitat and food for many marine species.
As buildings and new roads are built, the construction process exposes large amounts of dirt and coral stone. When proper on-site retention methods are not in place during heavy precipitation events, water washes the sediment into the stormwater system and then into Biscayne Bay. Large Sediment Plumes are often visible, spilling from Outfalls all along the coastline. The sediment can blanket the seagrass and other marine flora and cloud the water, choking sunlight from reaching the seafloor. Proper on-site sediment control management techniques are crucial to eliminating this pollution stream.
Multiple news organizations have featured Aaron DeMayo's expertise, photography, and videography. Nicole Lauren of NBC 6 interviewed Aaron in early September.
The videography has been featured multiple times by Local 10 WPLG:
Miami draws tourists, investors, and interest worldwide, including from Italy. Italia Report USA featured an article written by Keyvan Heydari focused on the environmental issues currently plaguing the Bay, where Aaron was also interviewed.
Although the health of Biscayne Bay is in a horrible state, the work of many great organizations, individuals, reporters, and our elected officials should provide hope that we are turning a corner. Humans are a part of nature, we. We need not destroy it, or try to control it. Allowing wildlife to thrive and creating our lives and cities within the natural environment is essential to our survival.