Red tide tracker: Florida beaches face red tide threat as travelers head south for Spring Break
Red tide was initially observed after Hurricane Ian and has grown throughout the winter. The ongoing event has caused hundreds of fish to wash ashore on Southwest Florida beaches, and biologists revealed manatees have been transported to recovery centers due to high toxin levels.
Red tide in Florida causing respiratory concerns
Lee Health’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Iahn Gonsenhauser discusses the health impacts that red tide has and its impact on pets as well.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is tracking a massive harmful algae bloom known as red tide that has been intensifying off the Florida coast leading to fish kills and respiratory irritation as travelers flock to the Sunshine State for Spring Break.
The red tide was initially observed in the days after Hurricane Ian impacted areas around Fort Myers and has grown throughout the winter.
What is a red tide and why are they dangerous?
A "red tide" is a harmful algal bloom that occurs when algae in the ocean and freshwater grows out of control.
The ongoing event has caused hundreds of fish to wash ashore on Southwest Florida beaches, and biologists revealed Wednesday that several manatees had been transported to recovery centers due to high toxin levels.
SAVING MANATEES FROM COLD WATER SHOCK AND RED TIDE
Red tide current status
Current red tide samplings in Florida.
( Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
According to the current sampling over the past week, the red tide organism, Karenia breves, was detected in 157 samples along Florida’s Gulf Coast, according to the FWC.
Officials say that red tide bloom concentrations (<100,000 cells/liter) were present in 89 samples last week. Two were in, and offshore of Pasco County, 24 were in and offshore of Pinellas County, eight were in Manatee County, 32 were in and offshore of Sarasota County, six were in Charlotte County, nine were in Lee County, and eight were found in Collier County.
Let's break down each region as we track the red tide in Florida.
VIDEO SHOWS HUNDREDS OF DEAD FISH SCATTERED ALONG FLORIDA BEACH
Northwest Florida
Red tide concentrations along Florida's northwestern coast from March 2 - March 9.
( Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Red tide in northwestern Florida as well along the Sunshine State’s east coast doesn’t appear to be as big of an issue as it is along the southwestern coast.
According to FWS, over the past week, red tide was seen at background concentrations in Bay County, and low to medium concentrations in and offshore of Pasco County.
Not present or background levels are 0-1,000 creels per liter while low is more than 10,000-100,000 and medium is more than 100,000-1,000,000.
Here's the full report for northwestern Florida.
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Southwest Florida
Red tide concentrations along Florida's southwestern coast from March 2 - March 9.
( Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
In southwestern Florida, red tide was observed from background levels to high concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, low to high concentrations in Manatee County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Sarasota County, background to high concentrations in Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in Lee County and very low to high concentrations in and offshore of Collier County, according to the FWC.
Here's where you can find the full report for southwestern Florida.
East Coast of Florida
Red tide concentrations along Florida's east coast from March 2 - March 9.
( Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Red tide has not been observed along Florida’s east coast from Palm Beach County north to Nassau County.
Here’s where you can find the full report for the east coast of Florida.
Fish kills
FILE - A sign is posted for depositing dead marine life from the Red Tide bacteria into dumpsters, is seen at Maximo Park on July 21, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida.
(Octavio Jones)
The FWC says reports of fish kills suspected to be related to the red tide have been reported along Florida’s Gulf Coast over the past week in Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier and Monroe counties.
If you’re in those areas, you can report fish kills by clicking here.
RED TIDE ALONG SOME FLORIDA BEACHES PROMPTS WARNINGS TO STAY AWAY FROM THE WATER
Respiratory irritations
Red Tide causing coughing spells along Florida coast
Environmental Engineer Tracy Fanara joins FOX Weather to discuss the current Red Tide bloom that is causing coughing spells for people along the Florida coastline.
In addition to the red tide and fish kills, there have been reports of respiratory irritations along Florida’s Gulf Coast across multiple areas of Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier and Monroe counties.
NOAA scientists have been warning people to stay away from the water along some of Florida’s beaches because of the risk of developing respiratory issues due to red tide.
"If you are starting in the parking lot, when you hit the dune crest going over to the beach at a place that has a risk, you're likely to be coughing at that point," explained NOAA oceanographer Rick Stumpf. "I can be quite miserable at the beach. If you have asthma, it could be worse, significantly worse."
Stumpf said that he feels like he has a cold when exposed to red tide. His nose runs, and his sinuses bother him. After leaving the beach and sitting in his car with the air conditioner running for a few minutes, the symptoms subside. Anyone with a respiratory illness could suffer worse.
What is a red tide and why are they dangerous?
A "red tide" is a harmful algal bloom that occurs when algae in the ocean and freshwater grows out of control.