Red Tide Scourges Florida’s Southwest Coast
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September 7, 2018 — Down in Southwest Florida residents have been seeing red this summer – as in red tide. This disturbing scourge is the worst it has been in more than a decade. It has killed huge amounts of marine life as well as cost millions in lost tourism dollars in communities like Marco Island. One charter boat captain there says his business is down 80%; to stay busy he has been volunteering to assist researchers out on the water.
In a 120 mile stretch of coast work crews have been spending their mornings cleaning up fish kills on the beach. The organism in red tide releases a deadly toxin that kills marine life like fish and shellfish, along with dolphins, sea turtles, pelicans, and loggerhead turtles. Local animal clinics are experiencing abnormal numbers of injured creatures being brought into their facilities for treatment. Tourists are staying away from the bad smells and air irritants.
Currently the red tide exists in a long stretch from Pinellas County (Tarpon Springs above St. Petersburg) south to Naples and into Collier County. Its appearance is not uniform, but varies in intensity from area to area. Observations of greater than 1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter ( very “high” concentrations) occurred in samples collected in or offshore of Hillsborough, Charlotte,
Comments on "Red Tide Scourges Florida’s Southwest Coast"
Jennifer says:
My Aunt lives in North Naples/Bonita Springs and has been telling me for weeks how severe the red tide is. Also the green algae that has invaded the canals and creates a thick green foam is killing fish and even the manatees. The stench from the fish on the beaches has affected those who have beach homes and apparently residents cannot even walk outside their homes--the air is so full of the smell from dead fish that have washed up on the beach. My Aunt is grateful not to be near a canal or the beach--five miles away--but it does affect the quality of life for those who want to go to the beach for the day or just walk it. She is afraid that it will affect the tourism industry this Fall and Winter and a few people are selling their homes and moving elsewhere. There are so many people who go south for the winter months to their homes and if they have been away they may be in for a nasty surprise.
Dennis says:
I wasn't worried about red tide since I wouldn't be in Florida until November, and haven't heard anything about it lately but now November isn't that far away is any better or any worse?
Laurel says:
I have a friend who lives in Sarasota. He said it's improving and has been able to spend more time on the various beaches.
Jennifer says:
I asked my Aunt about the improvement in Naples, Florida last week and she said there it has NOT improved. The red tide is still killing fish and the stench is awful. Check out the exact location and how things are before heading to Florida this next season. The green algae in the canals is also a great cause for concern. They have been told that in years to come it may only get worse.
TONI OLSEN says:
I live in Fort Myers, FL and the past couple of days the red tide has been virtually gone from the entire coast from Marco Island on north past us to at least Sarasota. We may not be completely free of red tide yet but we are headed in the right direction. Anyone can do a search for "red tide" and find a website in FL that shows updates almost daily of the whole state as to red tide status. As the weather and water temperatures cool that should help our situation. But if you are planning on heading this way for the winter check with where ever you are staying or with friends.
dennis says:
Can anyone give an update about red tide? We will be leaving for Florida right after Thanksgiving and going down the west coast to the Tampa Bay area. The beaches important to us and hope to spend time there everyday.
Jennifer says:
I think that the red tide has now resolved itself. I am not sure about the green algae in the canals, however. My Aunt in Naples said that the snowbirds are returning as usual so I suspect you will be OK. Check the local news of where you are headed.
Tom says:
Check out the current red tide status here:
http://myfwc.com/redtidestatus
Dennis says:
Jennifer and Tom thanks so much for your quick replies-
The link is a great help will use that often thanks again.