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Study: Fast Fish Impeded by BP Oil Spill

Mahi-mahi are among the fastest fish in the ocean, but a study shows the Deepwater Horizon oil spill is putting the brakes on their swimming.

The Miami Herald reports researchers at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science found a 37 percent decrease in overall swimming performance in young mahi exposed to oil from the 2010 spill.

Credit University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
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University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

What makes the research, shown in the video below, unusual is that young mahi are placed on a tiny fish treadmill to measure their speed. The loss of that speed could make it easier for fishermen to catch the mahi, which is already one of the most popular catches.

http://youtu.be/egsFQ9xjUZM

You can find out more about the study here.

Mark Schreiner is the assistant news director and intern coordinator for WUSF News.
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