SARASOTA, Fla. — Water samples taken earlier this week show elevated levels of red tide at some Sarasota County beaches, health officials warn. They say it is also affecting air quality.
Several beaches in Sarasota County will have signs warning of red tide, including:
- Turtle Beach
- Nokomis Beach
- North Jetty
- Venice Beach
- Service Club Park
- Venice Fishing Pier
- Brohard Beach
- Caspersen Beach
Red tide can cause some people to experience respiratory symptoms including eye, nose, and throat irritation, according to the Florida Department of Health. People who have existing breathing problems could experience more severe effects, officials said.
People are advised to go indoors if they experience symptoms. Red tide also severely impacts marine life. Beachgoers are also advised not to touch any dead fish that washes up ashore.
"I certainly feel for the fish, I understand about the balance in the ecosystem so really, you know, that should be everybody's concern," said Stanley Kivlan, a tourist from Indian Trail, NC.
In 2021 a several months-long red tide event impacted marine life and local businesses, including tourism. Many are hoping this is not the beginning of a repeat of that scenario
"I wouldn't overreact but I would definitely make sure that we are tracking it and observing what's going on," said Kivlan.
Although not yet directly connected, scientists have been concerned that an influx of runoff from land into the Gulf of Mexico from Hurricane Ian's surge and rainfall could touch off such a harmful algal bloom.
After Hurricane Ian hit 3 weeks ago, massive flooding followed. Several days later the area began to experience what's known as 'reverse storm surge'. That's when all the excess wastewater, filled with land nutrients and other pollutants -- finds its way into the Gulf.
Experts have been monitoring the more than 800 miles of beach along the Gulf coast for any development of red tide
"That relationship between red tide and hurricanes is kind of a difficult one. There has been the notion that a hurricane could actually disrupt a red tide because it mixes the water column to move water offshore. But also numerous times we've seen that we sometimes get a red tide following a hurricane. Now whether or not that has anything directly to do with the hurricane is a little difficult to tell," said Dr. Vincent Lovko, Senior Scientist, at Mote Marine Laboratory.
"All that water going onto the ground and rushing through the rivers and estuaries and into the coastal waters can certainly bring nutrients," said Lovko.