Red Tide Spotted Along Bay Area Beaches

Red tide has been detected along bay area beaches of Sarasota, Manatee and Pinellas counties. It starts killing fish and causes respiratory irritation for the swimmers.

There is the high concentration in 18 water samples that are collected in Pinellas County, the Clear Water Patch reports. On the other hand, twenty-three samples were gathered from Sarasota and Manatee counties. All of them are tested affirmative for Karenia Brevis, the organisms that cause the red tide.

"Fish kills were reported earlier this week along Madeira and Indian shores beaches along with reports of irritation," said one source. He also noted that in the previous week, there was respiratory irritation along Belle air Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Clearwater Pass and Treasure Island. The Lighthouse Beach in Lee County, Eaglewood and Venice might be affected by red tide too. The scientists said that the red tide is slowly heading towards the south.

News Channel 8 reports that one viewer experienced slight irritation on his throat and he coughed in the breeze of the sea. The red tide may cause respiratory irritation that includes scratchy throat, sneezing and coughing while spending time on the water or at the shore of the beach with red tide. People who have chronic respiratory conditions or asthma should inhabit areas that are affected with red tide algae.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) advise the public on some health tips. People who have eye, throat and nose irritations must avoid the beaches bloom with red tide. The beachgoers must not swim in the water as dead fish are visible on the shore. They also suggest that you must not let your pets eat fish or drink along the shore. Do not harvest oysters, hard clams and mussels when there is red tide. These may induce toxins when eaten.

Red tide refers to a natural phenomenon that is also known as harmful algal blooms of the species of dinoflagellate or Karenia Brevis. This microscopic marine alga is in high concentration during red tide and causes toxins that paralyze the central nervous system of fish.