Red tide returns to Bradenton area. High risk of respiratory irritation, officials say
There is a high risk of respiratory irritation from red tide in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties over the next 36 hours, the National Weather Service in Tampa said Wednesday.
Red tide conditions are expected to get worse on at least one beach on Anna Maria Island, a forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed.
Medium concentration levels of Karenia brevis, the algae that causes red tide, were detected in water samples taken Monday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission near the Rod and Reel Pier and Longboat Pass.
There have been no reports yet of fish kills or respiratory illness, according to the MOTE Beach Reporting Conditions System.
However, dark water conditions have been reported on Manatee Public Beach and Coquina Beach.
Conditions causing high levels of respiratory irritation were forecast by NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science’s Respiratory Forecast for the beach near Rod and Reel Pier, on the north tip on Anna Maria.
Health dept. issues alert
Late Wednesday, the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County issued health alerts because of the presence of red tide at the following locations:
- Bayfront Park
- Rod and Reel Pier
- Coquina Beach South
- Longboat Pass/Coquina Boat Ramp.
The public is advised to stay away from the water there and not to swim in any water where there are dead fish.
Shellfish from these water are not safe to eat, the department of health said. Finfish — caught alive and healthy — are safe to eat as long as they are filleted, rinsed and the guts are thrown out.
Red tide worse after Hurricane Ian
Predictions and tracking from the University of Florida show these medium levels of red tide drifting out from Manatee County beaches in a southwest direction towards the bay.
The red tide is also drifting into Sarasota and Tampa bays.
Medium levels of red tide can cause moderate respiratory irritation for those without any lung disease. Anyone with a lung disease is advised to avoid beaches with medium or high levels of red tide.
Just a week ago, only background concentration levels were detected in water samples in Manatee County.
Down south, conditions have worsened in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Background to high concentrations in and offshore continue were detected this weekend in Sarasota and Charlotte counties, while only background concentrations have been detected in Lee and Collier counties.
Respiratory irritation continues to be reported in Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.
This story was originally published November 9, 2022 at 11:54 AM.
