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Beach air forecast for Red Tide irritants
Karenia brevis (red tide) is present along the coast at concentrations that may cause respiratory irritation with onshore winds in CHARLOTTE and PINELLAS counties, the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science forecast on Wednesday, May 31.
Respiratory irritation is possible even though levels of algae bloom concentrations are very low in the waters off those counties. (More information about current blooms can be found lower in this article.)
Conditions may vary, depending on wind direction and Gulf currents. The risk of respiratory irritation from red tide is most likely when winds are blowing onshore or alongshore, and less likely when winds are blowing offshore.
For conditions at specific beaches along the Southwest Florida coast (and elsewhere in Florida), go to this Interactive map with beach-by-beach detail. Note that respiratory irritation is possible with onshore winds even when red-tide bloom concentrations are very low.
Meantime, a new bacteria has emerged off the Southwest Florida coast of PINELLAS, MANATEE and COLLIER counties, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Service. Trichodesmium normally appears during the summer months. More details below.
From the Tampa Bay Times: Red tide? Seaweed blob? Nope, scientists are watching a different algae off Tampa Bay
Water sampling for Red Tide blooms
Red Tide Mid-Week Update for May 31, 2023
Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 13 samples collected from Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were not observed, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission reported for the week ending 5/31/2023.
Red tide is potentially harmful to people at levels of 10,000 cells/liter, although respiratory irritation is possible even at very low levels (1,000 cells/liter).
Details:
- In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in Pinellas County, background concentrations in Sarasota County, background to low concentrations in Charlotte County, and background to very low concentrations in Lee County.
- In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
- Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
Fish kills due to red tide
Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received from Southwest Florida last week from Sarasota County. For more details, please visit https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/ and https://visitbeaches.org/.
Respiratory irritation due to red tide
Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was not reported in Southwest Florida. For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org/ and for forecasts that use FWC and partner data, please visit https://habforecast.gcoos.org/.
Read the full FWC Red Tide report online
More from Florida Rambler: Florida Blue-Green Algae updates
More Red Tide news coverage…
- Red tide appears to be gone from area beaches, WUSF Public Media, 5/25/2023
- New device from FAU makes it easier to track, study red tide, WINK News, (Subscription free)
- What can be done about red tide? Here’s what scientists are working on at Mote Marine, Bradenton Herald
- Florida red tide: American Lung Association provides tips on protecting yourself from respiratory issues, FOX13 (Subscription-free)
Editor’s Note: When you follow our links to newspaper reports, access to some may be limited without a subscription. Subscriptions are not required required for TV news reports and Yahoo! News.
Red Tide FAQ
What is Red Tide? Common name for harmful algal blooms occurring along coastal regions in Florida from large concentrations of aquatic micro-organisms, specifically an organism called karenia brevis. Bloom events are stimulated by nutrients from terrestrial runoff containing fertilizer, sewage and livestock wastes.
Should I avoid red tide? Toxins from red tide can cause breathing problems and irritate your eyes, nose and throat. Reactions to red tide are worse for people with asthma, emphysema, bronchitis or any chronic lung disease. If you have health issues, stay away from areas with red tide. Pets can become sick from red tide, so keep them away from those areas, as well as contaminated marine animals and fish.
Can we swim near red tide? Don’t swim in or around red tide because the toxin can cause skin irritation, rashes and burning and sore eyes.
What should I do if I come in contact with Red Tide? Wash off with soap and water. You can get relief from respiratory symptoms by being in an air-conditioned space. For people without asthma or chronic respiratory problems, over-the-counter antihistamines can help. If your symptoms don’t get better, see a doctor.
What about the dead fish on the beach? Red tides kill fish and other marine life — avoid contact and don’t swim or walk in areas with dead fish. Keep your pets away from these areas. Don’t harvest or eat distressed or dead fish (or any animals) from or near a red tide. Fish caught live and healthy can be eaten if filleted and rinsed thoroughly with fresh water.
Are shellfish affected by Red Tide? Crabs, lobsters, shrimp, clams, oysters and scallops are filter feeders that can concentrate toxins. These and other shellfish, if harvested from red tide areas, may be contaminated.
Additional Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Florida Department of Health
- Protecting Florida Together
- Florida Poison Control Information Center
Bob Rountree is a retired journalist, beach bum, angler and camper who has explored Florida for decades. No adventure is complete without finding a scenic paddle trail or unpaved road to nowhere. Bob co-founded FloridaRambler.com with fellow journalist Bonnie Gross 11 years ago.
Craig
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
Red Tide is MUCH worse than it's made out to be - it's played down because Billions of dollars are at stake. Fixing it? No way - Mosaic funds Mote. The Gov. has made it clear (Scott and DeSantis) that environmentalism is a "woke" fantasy,.
People are getting very sick. Talk to Doctors. Some are moving away (to the east coast).
This is not just an irritant - it's a poison (duh, dead fish and manatees/dolphins). It is likely shortening human lives - those with other respiratory problems.
It's been studied - but, of course, not by the State. Why would they want to know the truth? You can't dump billions of gallons of sewage and fertilizer into shallow warm water without problems!
Kim Wroblewski
Tuesday 2nd of November 2021
The red tide can bother you at sometimes. But whiat our family does is just go down the beach a couple miles and you really can’t notice it at all. Sometimes it’ll bother you worse than others. But don’t give up hope our Florida weather is beautiful and so are the beaches so just enjoy it the best you can and except the red tide Kim Wroblewski
Susan
Saturday 14th of August 2021
Thank you for publishing information about red tide. This has been going on for several weeks not just this last week. I live near the beach in Sarasota county. I feel so bad for tourists who come down with no idea that this is going on. It is not publicized or reported much. The signs alerting people are very inconspicuous. Many lodging properties and hotels do not tell their guests. We’ve also had closures due to bacteria in the water. It is bad enough that our state government is not proactive in solving this problem for all of us, but at least tell people what’s going on for safety reasons. Florida rambler is awesome. Thank you for all your publications! Susan