Red Tide Persists Off Tampa Bay Coastline

SARASOTA, FL – Tampa Bay area residents hoping to get in some beach time over the holiday may want to check water condition reports before diving in. Red tide blooms that have plagued the region for weeks are still being noted.

The largest concentration of red tide in the area has been found offshore of Sarasota County, according to the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission. In its Red Tide Status report filed Dec. 18, the agency noted background to high concentration in 18 water samples taken along and offshore of Sarasota County.

Problems linger in Manatee County, as well. The state noted that it had found low to medium concentrations in nine samples collected from waters there.

Pinellas County beachgoers will find red tide continues to be present in waters there, as well. The concentrations, however, are not as high. Red tide was found in background to low concentrations in five water samples taken along and offshore of Pinellas 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, visit the Mote Marine Laboratory online. To find out more about red tide and its presence in Florida, visit FWC online.

Map courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission