High Levels Of Red Tide Detected In Hillsborough, Pasco Counties

PASCO COUNTY, FL — The red tide bloom that's been causing dead fish to wash up on Pinellas County's more than 35 miles of beaches is now impacting Hillsborough and Pasco counties as well.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Research Institute's Harmful Algal Bloom Database, concentrations of Karenia brevis, the phytoplankton that causes red tide, were detected in medium and high concentrations in six water samples taken along the Pasco County coastline and at background to high concentrations in 29 samples from Pinellas County and 36 samples in Hillsborough County, with fish kills related to red tide reported in all three counties.

Medium levels are determined to be 100,000 to one million Karenia brevis cells per liter of water. High levels are more than one million cells per liter.

Jay Gunter, regional manager for DRC Emergency Services, Pinellas County's contractor for red tide cleanup, said his team began staging equipment to clean up red tide fish kills and other debris June 9. To date, the contractor has removed 66.8 tons of marine life killed by Karenia brevis on Pinellas beaches, in canals and along seawalls.

The FWC said the highest concentrations were found at Sunken Island in the Hillsborough Bay, Anclote Key off Pasco County, Sand Key off Clearwater, and Snake Key northwest of Tampa Bay.

Medium concentrations were detected at Manbirtee Key and Moody Point in lower Tampa Bay, Pine Key and Venetian Isles in middle Tampa Bay around MacDill Air Force Base, Dutchman Key off the Anclote Anchorage and the tip of Bayboro Harbor in St. Petersburg.

The algal bloom is causing respiratory irritation for some people visiting beaches in the three counties. This can be exacerbated in people with asthma and other breathing problems.

Although there are no beach closures related to red tide, beach goers are warned to stay out of the water at beaches with high concentrations of red tide.

However, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the agency that regulates approved shellfish harvesting areas, has determined that the current levels of red tide do not warrant any closures at this time.

The Florida Department of Health advises residents to do the following in areas with medium and high levels of red tide:

• Beach goers should avoid swimming around dead fish.
• Those with chronic respiratory problems should consider staying away from beaches where there is a red tide bloom.
• People should not harvest or eat mollusks or distressed and dead fish from areas with high concentrations of red tide.
• Pet owners should keep their animals away from the water and away from dead fish.
• Residents living near the beach should close their windows and run air conditioners with proper filters.
• Visitors to the beach may want to wear paper masks, especially if the wind is blowing in.

To find out the current conditions at your favorite beach, visit the Mote Marine Laboratory Beach Conditions Reporting System. Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater also posts current beach conditions and red tide updates.

The FWC will issue its next red tide status report Friday. Check the website for daily sampling reports.