Shocking news that the State of Florida has issued a state of emergency for the annual red tide event happening in the southwestern portion of west Florida. What makes this event so unusual? It sounds inaccurate to suggest that this has been going on for 10 months. It’s doubtful that we had a K. brevis prevalence worth noting before the water temperatures got above 85 degrees. According to one news outlet funding will go to Pinellas in addition to affected counties. Pinellas hasn’t had red tide at all this summer, and we were surfing just three days ago without any red tide. With funding in place what type of uses will it go towards? It’s likely that it will be spent on discretionary expenditures, cleanup, things of that nature, when in reality we should be putting the money into prevention. Check out the red tide state of emergency declaration.
Tag Archives: fish kill
Red Tide is Engulfing West Florida
Red tide is really bad right now in southwest Florida. According to reporting by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and the University of South Florida, the concentrations of the bacteria called red tide are at high levels on the beaches. Qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of sources are being distributed by these outlets.
At the moment we’re not feeling the effects of this red tide on the northern beaches. We’re still in the dead heat of the summer, so the multiplication of the bacteria which is fueled by heat isn’t expected to slow any time soon. If this red tide does continue, and if we get a decent storm or a south flow the red tide could be sent up towards the west central Florida beaches. Any potentially significant storm is at least a week and a half out.
Reports from county officials in southwest Florida and secondary reports from Florida Fish and Wildlife officials are listing tons of red tide affected dead fish being cleared from the beaches. It’s a real mess down there right now.
If a big storm comes into the gulf, I wouldn’t recommend a trip down to Venice. Consider that the abundance of red tide bacteria is at high levels there. Of course, it was like this last year. People still decided to make the trip down there to surf the jetties. It’s not going to kill you, but if the red tide is really intense you could find that breathing without coughing is somewhat difficult. Check out this August 3rd red tide incidence status report.