A mysterious red tide stretching 100 miles has appeared off the Southwest Florida shoreline, triggering alerts about potential respiratory discomfort and risks of fish mortality at local beaches. Experts suggest that weather conditions might be contributing to the growth of this phenomenon, which initially surfaced in October following Hurricane Milton’s passage.
Recent water samples taken from regions along the Gulf Coast, spanning from Manatee and Sarasota counties through Lee and Collier counties down to Monroe County in the Florida Keys, revealed low to moderate levels of Karenia brevis, the algae responsible for red tide. Elevated concentrations of the algae were detected in a specific area of Sanibel Island, prompting health authorities to issue warnings last week regarding a heightened threat of respiratory issues.
Additionally, high levels of the red tide algae were observed several miles off the coast of Naples. Drone imagery shared on social media showcased the presence of the red tide bloom lurking offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. The neurotoxin produced by red tide algae can be fatal to marine life and trigger respiratory problems in humans, particularly those with underlying health conditions.
Meteorological events such as hurricanes may intensify runoff and disturb deeper water layers, which are abundant in nutrients that can fuel algae blooms. Eric Milbrandt, director of the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Marine Lab, explained that winds and currents play a crucial role in dispersing these blooms, while nutrient influx from fertilizers and waste can create conducive conditions near the shoreline.
In the event of fish fatalities caused by the red tide, decomposition can introduce additional nutrients into the ecosystem. Although some deceased fish have been reported washing ashore, the bloom has predominantly remained offshore, yet the possibility of onshore winds pushing it closer to land exists. Prolonged proximity of the red tide to the coast heightens the risk of marine animals like sea turtles, birds, and manatees being affected as they ingest the toxin through the food chain.
Due to the dynamic nature of these conditions, regular monitoring of the daily forecast and Florida’s red tide information portal is advised. Milbrandt emphasized that red tide blooms are sporadic and may impact certain areas while leaving others unaffected. Situations can change swiftly, with some regions returning to normal conditions within a day following a bloom.
Southwest Florida endured a severe red tide event in 2018. Jan Childs, a senior content writer at Weather.com, covers a range of topics including breaking weather news, space, climate change, environmental issues, and more.
