Spinning, whirling fish in south Florida prompt emergency response

The NOAA reports 28 smalltooth sawfish have died in the lower Florida Keys as of 24 March. Photograph: Jupiterimages/Getty Images

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is launching what the agency described as an emergency response effort in south Florida after emerging reports of smalltooth sawfish spinning, whirling and displaying other abnormal behaviors.

In a statement released last Wednesday, NOAA said that in addition to the abnormal behaviors, there have been reports of fish deaths in the lower Florida Keys, including more than 28 smalltooth sawfish as of 24 March.