© 2024 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Red Tide Still Hovering Off Sarasota, Pinellas Beaches

Map of red tide in the Gulf of Mexico
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Map of red tide in the Gulf of Mexico

Fish kills and respiratory irritation associated with red tide is still being found off many Gulf beaches.

Although red tide seems to be receding in the greater Tampa Bay region, the organism that causes red tide is still being found in high concentrations along Sarasota County beaches. High concentrations are still being found off the Pinellas beaches as well.

High concentrations were found this week in eight samples taken from Sarasota County and four offshore from Pinellas. Lower concentrations were found off Hillsborough and Manatee counties.

The highest concentrations were this week in Sarasota County, at North Jetty Park, Venice Beach, Caspersen Beach, Manasota Beach, Blind Pass Park and three locations along the Venice beaches. Medium concentrations were found in Pinellas County, at Treasure Island, Sand Key and offshore of Fort DeSoto and Clearwater Beach.

Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported offshore of Citrus, Hernando, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties over the past week.

Respiratory irritation was also reported in Hernando, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

You Count on Us, We Count on You: Donate to WUSF to support free, accessible journalism for yourself and the community.