Red Tide Advisory Lifted At Sarasota County Beaches: FL Officials

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — A red tide advisory issued Oct. 19 for multiple Sarasota County beaches has been lifted, according to a Florida Department of Health news release.

Affected beaches included Turtle Beach, Nokomis Beach, North Jetty, Venice Beach, Service Club Park, Venice Fishing Pier, Brohard Beach and Caspersen Beach.

Water samples taken from the beaches after Oct. 19 were tested and the results, which came back Friday, showed that no red tide cells were present, FDOH said.

The beach advisory signs were changed to reflect this status at all affected beaches but North Jetty, which is inaccessible because of a temporary road closure for Hurricane Ian clean-up. The signs at North Jetty will be changed as soon as FDOH workers can access the area, the agency said.

Some people exposed to red tide may have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation like those associated with the common cold or seasonal sinus allergies, the agency said. Some individuals with existing breathing problems, such as asthma, might experience more severe effects.