Red Tide Conditions Improve In Pinellas But Still Wreaking Havoc

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL -- Pinellas County government staff saw improved red tide conditions along Pinellas beaches over the weekend, enabling the county to downscale cleanup operations on Monday, Sept. 24.

According to Pinellas communications director, Tony Fabrizio , Monday's cleanup efforts will be limited to offshore harvesting near Bunces Pass between Fort De Soto Park and Shell Key Preserve. Workers also will skim for dead fish in and near the pass and complete fish removal from the Intracoastal Waterway and Boca Ciega Bay.

Fort De Soto Park continues to have minor impacts with mild red tide fumes and dead fish.

Over the weekend, Pinellas experienced a significant localized fish kill near War Veterans’ Memorial Park. Skimmers were dispatched to address the situation quickly. A sample will be collected at the park Monday to assess red tide concentrations.

Dumpster locations have been updated via the link found here. Contractual and county support staff will be limited to those necessary to support/monitor the boating operations.

"It’s important to note that the bloom is not gone," said Fabrizio. It still extends 135 miles from north Collier County to northern Pinellas County.

"What has changed, to our benefit, are the winds and currents. If conditions change, the county is prepared to begin full-scale operations again," he said.

The U.S. Small Business Association announced Friday, Sept. 21, the availability of Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses in Pinellas County impacted by Red Tide.

As of last week, the county had collected 688 tons of marine life killed by red tide.

Images via Matt Marriott Photography

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