Red Tide Making its Way Toward Pinellas

The red tide bloom that has remained offshore from Dixie down to Pasco County most of the summer is slowly making its way south to Pinellas, raising concerns along the way.

While dead fish washed up onshore at Honeymoon Island over the weekend, officials say those casualties were likely exposed to the toxic algae bloom far offshore and were carried by currents to the beach, The Tampa Tribune reports.

Concerns are high, however, as the bloom, which is estimated to be more than 90 miles long and 60 miles wide, moves south. Researchers say it’s possible the bloom will sweep Pinellas’ coastline, and that has tourism and elected officials worried.

U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-St. Petersburg, has asked federal officials for helping in fighting the outbreak.

“The last major red tide bloom in 2005 had significant impact on our fisheries, the marine recreation industry, the local tourism industry, and the quality of life of all Pinellas residents,” he wrote in a letter to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Red tide is a naturally occurring algae that can last for weeks or up to a year or longer, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. That agency says the algae responsible for Florida’s red tide, Karenia brevis, is found almost exclusively in Gulf waters. The toxins found in this algae are capable of killing fish and animals and may also lead to respiratory irritations in people as they are carried in the air.

Controlling and combatting red tide, wildlife officials say, is no easy task.

“Potential controls must not only kill the red tide organism but also eliminate the toxins from the water,” the state’s website says. “To date, this has not been possible.”

Although it remains unclear whether the bloom will land on Pinellas shores, wildlife officials are monitoring its movement closely. Residents can help by reporting fish kill sightings online via the conservation commission’s website.