Fish Kill Guidance
Management and Disposal of Fish Carcasses

In order to address questions and concerns expressed by residents with regard to their options for disposal of collected fish carcasses, EPC staff has contacted the Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management Department and the City of Tampa Department of Solid Waste.

Within Hillsborough County, private residents are urged to place collected fish carcasses at curbside with their regular garbage. Citizens should be aware that there is typically a 50 lbs limit on each garbage container and there is a three container limit per garbage collection day. Provided the above restrictions are observed there is no limitation on the amount of fish carcasses that can be disposed through the local solid waste systems.

Within Hillsborough County, commercial entities, neighborhoods and/or neighborhood associations engaging in fish carcass cleanup activities are being urged to contact and contract with one of the County’s franchise waste haulers for the rental of dumpsters or roll-off containers for collection of larger volumes of carcasses. There are fees involved with this option for the container rental, special waste pickup services and disposal of container contents.

Please note that neither the County nor the City have programs in place or funds available to undertake the collection/cleanup of fish carcasses. Carcass collection activities are the responsibility of the property/site/business owners themselves. However, services are in place and/or arrangements can be made with the respective County or City Departments of Solid Waste for the pickup and disposal of collected carcasses.