Algae Bloom Confirmed In Old Tampa Bay

SAFETY HARBOR, FL – The strong smell and discolored water Pinellas County residents reported to authorities was confirmed to be an algae bloom in Old Tampa Bay.

Pinellas County Environmental Management confirmed the bloom in the north end of Tampa Bay. The algae bloom stretches from Safety Harbor to the south end of the Bayside Bridge near Feather Sound.

The Pyrodinium bahamense bloom became visible last week and was confirmed with testing. Aside from the algae bloom, residents may experience foul odors from reported fish kills in the area.

Fish can be killed in algae blooms by the decreased levels of dissolved oxygen in the water. During cloudy weather and overnight, low sunlight causes algae to switch from producing oxygen to consuming the oxygen needed by fish. This can cause fish to suffocate.

According to Pinellas County, the growth of algae like the current bloom is fueled by nutrients, including those in fertilizers, yard waste, sediment and animal waste. The nutrients are carried into Tampa Bay and other waterways through stormwater runoff. Sunny weather after heavy rainfall and warm water temperatures also contribute to algae blooms.

To help its residents to help prevent algae blooms, Pinellas County suggested to remember the slogan “only rain down the drain” and to properly dispose of grass clippings and other yard waste, pet waste and chemicals.

The county also reminded residents to continue to heed the summer fertilizer ban, which prohibits the application of phosphorous or nitrogen to lawn and landscape plans from June through September.

Pinellas County residents who see fish kills are asked to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish Kill Hotline at (803) 636-0511 or visit MyFWC.com/FishKill to report them.

For more information on algae blooms and other issues concerning water quality, visit www.pinellascounty.org/environment.watershed.

Caption: Thousands of fish washed up on the shores from Pinellas to Collier counties in October 2016.

Photo courtesy of the Manatee County Public Safety Department