Red Tide Levels Improving At Sarasota County Beaches: Officials

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — While red tide remains present at Sarasota County beaches, concentrations of the harmful algal blooms are decreasing in the area, according to a Sarasota County news release.

Wednesday morning’s beach monitoring “showed continued improvements throughout Sarasota County,” officials said.

Each morning, Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources staff evaluate public beaches and access points to determine if red time impacts and marine debris that has washed up meets the county’s beach cleaning policy threshold. If this threshold is met, mechanical rakes or manual raking and debris pick up are deployed.

Regular beach maintenance includes weekly raking at Siesta and Lido Beaches throughout the year.

The week of March 17, red tide was found in background to low concentrations in Sarasota County, according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Even with low levels of red tide, some people may have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms, such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, similar to those associated with the common cold or seasonal sinus allergies, the Florida Department of Health said.

Some people with existing breathing problems, such as asthma, might experience more severe effects.

Symptoms usually stop when a person leaves the beach or goes indoors, FDOH said.

Health officials recommend that people who are sensitive to red tide or experiencing symptoms avoid the beach or go into an air-conditioned space.

Those visiting these beaches should stay away from the water and any dead fish they might see, the FDOH advised. Pets and livestock should also be kept away from the water, sea foam and dead sea life.

The agency also advises against harvesting or eating molluscan shellfish or distressed or dead fish. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.

Health effects caused by exposure to red tide can be reported to Florida Poison Control Centers by calling 888-222-1222. Those experiencing continuing symptoms should also contact their health care provider.

The toxins can also affect the central nervous system of fish and other marine life, leading to fish kills. Report fish kills to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute via the FWC Reporter App, calling 800-636-0511 or online.