Lingering Red Tide On Florida's Gulf Coast

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — A lingering red tide bloom along Florida’s Gulf Coast has resulted in a number of reports of fish kills and respiratory irritations in beachgoers, according to state officials.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released its regular red tide update Monday, Oct. 10, covering the period of Sept. 29 through Oct. 10. The report would have normally been issued on Friday, but was delayed thanks to Hurricane Matthew.

The expanded report shows active red tide in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties. The state noted that fish kills “affecting multiple species have been reported” in all six counties. So have respiratory irritations.

Florida’s Gulf Coast has been dealing with on-again, off-again red tide issues for a few weeks. Red tide is a naturally occurring organism found in Gulf waters. When it accumulates in large amounts, it can kill fish and lead to respiratory irritation in people and animals.

Toxins in red tide can “enter the air and cause respiratory irritation among beachgoers, such as coughing, sneezing or a scratchy throat,” according to Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory. Mote scientists conduct year-round monitoring of Bay area waters.
http://patch.com/florida/clearwater/red-tide-fish-kills-reported-pinellas-manatee-sarasota-counties

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