![]() Red tide was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected from Okaloosa County.įorecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas County south predict northern movement of surface waters and northwestern/western movement of subsurface waters in most areas over the next 3 1/2 days. 2018 was one of the worst red tides we have had. It has pushed it as far north as the Panhandle. In 2018, a massive red tide bloom along Florida’s southwestern coast killed 2,000 tons of marine life and caused 8 million in business losses. A report issued Friday by state environmental officials shows high concentrations of the organism that causes red tide were found this week off Clearwater Beach and Anclote Key in Pinellas and Pasco counties. Fixing the toxic problem is a high priority, and there’s a rush to find. Fishing industry losses haven’t been tallied, but when red tide hit in 20, clam farmers lost 1.3 million. Southerly winds are being blamed for pushing the toxin north from Charlotte and Lee counties, where red tide first emerged in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Red tide seems to be drifting northward toward Pasco and Hernando counties. The Florida Department of Health said treating respiratory illness caused by red tide in Sarasota County alone cost between 500,000 and 4 million. Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received from all three counties. ![]() ![]() The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science issued an advisory this week, cautioning that beachgoers may experience respiratory irritation while visiting beaches in Sarasota, Manatee and Pinellas counties. What is happening An unusually persistent harmful algal bloom (red tide) affected portions of the coasts of Florida between 2017-2018, dissipating in the winter of 2018/2019. And medium levels continue to affect Pinellas beaches from Redington Beach to Fort DeSoto. A major red tide bloom extends more than 100 miles along Floridas Gulf coastline, and reaches more than 30 miles off shore. State environmental officials on Wednesday said high levels of red tide were reported off the coast of Sarasota County and in Roberts Bay, near Venice. ![]()
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