Red Tide

The experiments marked the first time the environmentally safe, plant-based agents were used outside of the lab after about six years of development.

The study connects increased harmful algae blooms with the long-term acidification of Florida’s estuaries.

Local health departments advised people to stay away from more than a dozen beaches in Southwest Florida. Respiratory irritation has been felt offshore of Marco Island, and dead fish are floating in Naples Bay.

Two key questions remain when it comes to the proposed red tide remedies: how to scale them up so they can treat large areas and how to pay for the treatments.

Even with the improved conditions, fish kills and respiratory irritation usually associated with red tide were reported off Sarasota County.

The lower amounts of the toxin were detected after several weeks of medium and high concentrations were reported along the Tampa Bay area coasts.

The latest state report on red tide shows no more heavy concentration of the toxin were found. However, fish kills and respiratory irritation associated with red tide were reported detected.

The heaviest concentrations of the toxin were found this week at four locations around Venice and at Indian Mound Park, near Englewood. Fish kills and respiratory irritation were also reported.

The latest report from state environmental officials shows heavy concentrations of the toxin around Venice and Blind Pass Beach. Fish kills and respiratory irritation were also reported.

Red tide comes from an organism that occurs naturally in the ocean. But people can make these harmful algal blooms worse.