Red tide has popped back up in Sarasota County. They’re low traces, says FWC report
Traces of red tide are making a comeback in Sarasota County, according to the latest report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Researchers said very low concentrations of the Karenia brevis algae were detected in four of the 32 samples collected in the county. The FWC also collected five water samples in Manatee County in the past week, but none of them showed evidence of the red tide-causing organism.
According to the report released Friday afternoon, Manasota Beach, Manasota Key, the Venice Fishing Pier and the Sarasota Bay Dock showed background to very low amounts of the algae. Similar concentrations of red tide were also observed in Charlotte and Lee counties, according to the FWC.
At very low amounts, red tide poses little harm to humans, but may cause respiratory irritation. In higher concentrations, red tide can cause fish kills. In the past week, however, the FWC has not received reports of fish kills or respiratory irritation linked to red tide.
This story was originally published January 17, 2020 at 4:20 PM.
