Red Tide Creating Problems Along Tampa Bay Shores

CLEARWATER, FL — Tampa Bay area residents and visitors might want to check conditions before heading out to some local beaches. A red tide bloom has been reported offshore of Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties with reports of respiratory irritation and fish kills coming in.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the highest concentration of the organism that causes red tide was found offshore of Pinellas County last week. A total of 18 water samples taken offshore from Pinellas tested positive for K. brevis, the organism that causes red tide, with background to high concentrations found, the state reported in its April 8 Red Tide Status report. Twenty-three samples collected from Manatee and Sarasota counties also tested positive with background to very low concentrations found.

“Fish kills were reported earlier this week along Madeira and Indian Shores beaches along with reports of respiratory irritation,” the state’s report said. “In the past week, respiratory irritation was also reported along Treasure Island, Indian Rocks Beach, Clearwater Pass and Belleair Beach.” The state also noted concerns in Venice, Englewood and along Lighthouse Beach in Lee County.

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