Fish Kills, Respiratory Irritation Continue As Red Tide Lingers

TALLAHASSEE, FL — A red tide bloom that’s been causing problems offshore of several southwest Florida area counties hasn’t gone away just yet.

In fact, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported on Wednesday that respiratory irritations due to the bloom have been reported from Sarasota to Englewood. “Fish kills have also been reported along Siesta Key Beach, Longboat Key and Captiva Island,” the state noted in its Red Tide update report.

Five recent samples collected in and alongshore of Pinellas County showed very low to medium concentrations, the state noted. Karenia brevis, the red tide organism, was also found in very low to high concentrations in 59 samples collected in, along and offshore of Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.

Red tide is an algae that occurs naturally in the Gulf that can cause respiratory irritations when it accumulates in large amounts. Toxins in red tide can “enter the air and cause respiratory irritation among beachgoers, such as coughing, sneezing or a scratchy throat,” the Mote Marine Laboratory explains on its website. Mote scientists conduct year-round monitoring of Bay area waters.

Beachgoers with respiratory conditions, such as emphysema and asthma, may be more susceptible to red tide irritants. FWC recommends these public health tips when red tide is present:

• People who experience issues, such as nose, throat and eye irritations may want to leave the immediate area
• Those with severe or chronic respiratory conditions should avoid areas that are known to have active red tide
• When dead fish are present alongshore, it is advised that beachgoers avoid swimming in the water
• Red tide may also pose a risk to pets. Pets should not eat fish or drink water from water with a high concentration of red tide
• Recreational harvesting of such mollusks as hard clams, mussels and oysters is banded when red tide is present. To find out if harvest of shellfish is available in an area, visit the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture online.

To find out the conditions on local beaches, check out Mote Marine’s online tracking tool. To find out more about red tide and its presence in Florida, visit FWC online.

Map courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife