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Red tide is blooming on the Florida Gulf coast, but is Sarasota affected? What to know.

Red tide is still bloom along the Florida Gulf coast, but Sarasota and Manatee County beaches are currently in the clear.

Satellite images published by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science shows that red tide is blooming in the Gulf, off the coast of Sanibel Island in Lee County. Imagery shows the bloom stretches south of Naples, but is farther away from those Collier County beaches.

Where is red tide blooming in Florida?

Satellite images published on Feb. 9 by the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science show red tide is in bloom off the Sanibel Island coast in Florida.

Red tide has lingered off the Lee and Collier county coast for at least the past two weeks, according to satellite images taken on Feb. 9. Those images show the bloom has drifted northward away from Naples in recent days, but it remained south of Venice area beaches as of Sunday.

Satellite images: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science HAB tracker

Water sample results: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

On Monday, a beach conditions reporting website operated by the Mote Marine Laboratory reported some dead fish, discolored water and slight respiratory irritation at Bowman’s Beach on Sanibel Island. Although many dead fish were reported at Lovers Key State Park on Sunday, water was clear and there were no signs of respiratory irritation.

Water sample results from affected beaches published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed satellite imagery findings and Mote Marine reports, but the most recent results available as of Monday were from Feb. 3 and 7.

Water sample results show Sarasota or Manatee County beaches have been in the clear for at least one week, including those at Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key and Siesta Key.

What is a red tide bloom?

Dead fish have continued to wash ashore in the Sarasota, Manatee and Tampa Bay region in recent weeks due to red tide. File photo from July 14, taken at Ken Thompson Park.

Dead fish have continued to wash ashore in the Sarasota, Manatee and Tampa Bay region in recent weeks due to red tide. File photo from July 14, taken at Ken Thompson Park.

Red tide is a condition caused when Karenia Brevis, an algae that naturally exists in the Gulf, blooms at a level that causes harm to marine life. It can also cause health problems in humans, typically respiratory irritation.

Although red tide is a naturally occurring phenomenon, human-caused nitrogen runoff is believed to help fuel and amplify local red tide blooms when Karenia Brevis finds nitrogen enriched waters. Red tide blooms linger until they are eventually carried away from Florida shores, potentially, by a seasonal change in water currents.

Where can I learn more about red tide?

Visitors can learn more about current red tide conditions by visiting official state and federal websites to plan trips to local beaches.

Local beach conditions: Mote Marine Laboratory

Available resources include satellite imagery published by NCCOS, water sample results published by FWC, notes from a local beach conditions reporting system published by MOTE Marine Laboratory. Visitors can also check weather forecasts to determine if winds are blowing toward or away from shore.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Is red tide affecting beaches in Sarasota and Manatee? What to know.


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