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Red Tide Is Sticking Around Tampa Bay Area, FWC Report Shows

Red tide is still being found in Tampa Bay and along the beaches from Pasco to Sarasota counties.

A report on Friday from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows that a red tide bloom that has been plaguing the greater Tampa Bay region hasn't gone anywhere.

High levels of the organism that causes red tide were found in several areas in Tampa Bay, from South Tampa to the coast line of downtown St. Petersburg to the southern parts of the bay.

High concentrations were also found off Indian Shores Beach, Fort DeSoto and along Sarasota County's beaches from Longboat Key to Turtle Beach.

Medium concentrations were found from Pasco County south to Venice.

Fish kills were reported in Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota and Lee Counties. And respiratory irritation from red tide was reported in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and Lee counties.

Copyright 2021 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7

Steve Newborn is WUSF's assistant news director as well as a reporter and producer at WUSF covering environmental issues and politics in the Tampa Bay area.