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Phosphate processing plants in the greater Tampa Bay region have caused some of Florida's worst environmental disasters. Accidents like the spill at the former Piney Point plant fill the history books in Florida.

Red Tide Blooms Continue Causing Fish Kills And Respiratory Irritations In Southwest Florida

Map of red tide detections down the Gulf Coast of Florida, using colorful dots.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The FWC says that over the past week, fish kills were reported in Sarasota and Charlotte counties, and respiratory irritations were also recorded in Sarasota, Charlotte, and Manatee counties.

Fish kills were reported in Sarasota and Charlotte counties, and respiratory irritations were also recorded there, along with Manatee County.

Toxic red tide algae blooms remain in Sarasota and Charlotte counties, with Collier County joining them.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Friday that fish kills were reported in Sarasota and Charlotte over the past week, and that respiratory irritations were also recorded in Sarasota, Charlotte, and Manatee counties.

In addition, Manatee is experiencing low concentrations of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, along with Lee and Monroe counties.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection said in its daily Piney Point update that it's continuing to work with the FWC and the Florida Department of Health to monitor water quality in Tampa Bay.

That's after more than 200 million of gallons of wastewater was pumped out of the former phosphate plant into Port Manatee to prevent a catastrophic reservoir collapse.

The DEP's update said, "FWC sampling results in the localized area of discharges in Manatee County remain within the range of non-detect to low concentrations of K. brevis (a species of red tide).There are no reported fish kills in this area."

My main role for WUSF is to report on climate change and the environment, while taking part in NPR’s High-Impact Climate Change Team. I’m also a participant of the Florida Climate Change Reporting Network.
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