Fishkills Reported Along Pinellas Beaches Due To Spread Of Red Tide

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reporting low to high concentrations of red tide along some beaches in Pinellas County, prompting beach cities like Indian Rocks Beach to begin daily morning pickups of dead fish on the beach.

Red tide is a naturally occurring organism that can cause respiratory irritation, kill fish and harm other marine life.

The FWC said red tide has drifted as far north as Sand Key, just south of Clearwater Beach.

Over the past week, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 114 samples from the waters of Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations were present in 56 samples: 17 in Pinellas County, one in Hillsborough County, one in Manatee County, 16 in Sarasota County, two in Charlotte County, three in Lee County, 15 in Collier County and one in Monroe County.

Biologists with the FWC said there are very low to high concentrations in Pinellas County and background to high concentrations in Hillsborough County.

For additional information, view the Southwest Coast report and map.

And high concentrations of the algae bloom are being reported in Treasure Island and Long Bayou on the north side of St. Pete Beach.

Fish kills and respiratory irritation related to red tide have been reported in Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties, said the FWC.

High levels of red tide can result in respiratory irritation; shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills and discolored ocean water, said the FWC.

Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science for Pinellas County to northern Monroe County predict movement of surface and subsurface waters in most areas over the next 3 1/2 days, spreading red tide farther north.

Residents who live along the beach or waterway in Indian Rocks Beach can collect dead fish and place them in double plastic bags that should be tied and placed in a trash can. They will be collected by the Indian Rocks Beach Solid Waste Division on regularly scheduled collection days.

Condos and multi-family properties impacted by red tide may place fish remains placed in double plastic bags in their city-provided dumpsters.

"The city of Indian Rocks Beach is monitoring this issue on a daily basis and is responding with our Pinellas County partners as the situation warrants," City Manager Gregg Mims said.

A Marine Fish Kill Hotline is maintained by the Fish & Waterlife Health group at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Residents may report fish kills by calling 800-636-0511.

Pinellas County has established a red tide information web page to keep residents updated. It includes maps monitoring the location of red tide.