ENGLEWOOD — With hundreds if not thousands of dead mullet washing up on Manasota Key and other local barrier islands in the height of mullet fishing season, it’s not surprising some residents might question whether commercial mullet fishermen are behind the fish kill.

Manasota Key resident and wildlife photographer Paula Kaye said 20 to 30 mullet fishing boats were clustered offshore Sunday between the public Englewood Beach and Stump Pass Beach State Park.