Red Tide

The lower amounts of the toxin were detected after several weeks of medium and high concentrations were reported along the Tampa Bay area coasts.

The latest state report on red tide shows no more heavy concentration of the toxin were found. However, fish kills and respiratory irritation associated with red tide were reported detected.

The heaviest concentrations of the toxin were found this week at four locations around Venice and at Indian Mound Park, near Englewood. Fish kills and respiratory irritation were also reported.

The latest report from state environmental officials shows heavy concentrations of the toxin around Venice and Blind Pass Beach. Fish kills and respiratory irritation were also reported.

Red tide comes from an organism that occurs naturally in the ocean. But people can make these harmful algal blooms worse.

Red tide continues to spread off St. Petersburg.

Low concentrations of the toxin were found this past week around downtown St. Petersburg and the Sunshine Skyway bridge.

Concentrations of red tide are being found in large quantities, especially off Sarasota and Manatee county beaches.

But persistent winds from the north could push much of the algae bloom to the south over the rest of the week.

Despite strong indications that billions of gallons of water would not gush down the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers from months on end when the new management plan for the big lake was finalized earlier this year, that's exactly what is poised to occur.

The toxin is persistent on beaches south of Tampa Bay.

The highest concentration are being found in Manatee and Sarasota counties.