Red Tide in Florida
What is Red Tide?
Red tide is a natural phenomenon when microscopic algae bloom in an abnormally high concentration causing a ted tide ocean. The red tide algae, known as Karenia brevis, is mostly concentrated on Florida beaches near Tampa Bay and the surrounding regions.
What are the causes of Florida Red Tide?
The initial red tide occurrence scientifically documented in Florida dates back to 1844 around Tampa Bay and the Charlotte Harbor region. Karenia brevis is also found in the Gulf of Mexico, and the first documented case was in the 1700s.
K. brevis algae require the following conditions to bloom:
Optimal light
Favorable temperature
Nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients
Zooplankton wastes
Grazing food wastes
Air pollution agents
Water from rivers and nearby estuaries
Runoff water from the nearby Lake Okeechobee
The Florida red tide algae bloom requires four main components: biology, correct chemistry, ecology, and appropriate physical conditions. Biologically, the algae must exist in water and out-survive other phytoplanktons. The chemistry conditions required include the correct temperature, saline, and the right amount of nutrients for the growth and multiplying of the algae. The right ecological conditions, such as other algae, that can encourage or inhibit the survival of K. brevis is an important factor. Karenia brevis also requires physically active transport agents to carry it to other areas as it spreads.
Does coastal nutrient pollution cause the Florida Red Tide?
Karenia brevis algae develop between 10-40 miles offshore, far from human nutrient pollution. Severe red tides have been recorded in Florida beginning mid-1900, before the development of the coastlines and population settlement. However, once K. brevis algae are on the shores, they rely on human nutrients for their reproduction and growth.
What does Florida Red Tide look like, and how long does it last?
Elevated concentrations of red tide algae can cause the water to display red, brown, green, or rusty orange hues. K. brevis bloom in the Tampa Bay area often lasts a few weeks to several months, even more than a year. If you are a fisherman in Florida, you should check the weather forecast before fishing.
Can you fish during Red Tide in Florida?
You can fish during red tide in Florida if you stay offshore. The fish you catch offshore during red tide are unlikely to be infected by K. brevis toxins. However, you should follow the red tide forecast and safety guidelines when handling or eating fish from the red tide ocean during the algae bloom.
What are the dangers of Florida Red Tide?
Red tides produce toxins that can cause harm to both humans and marine organisms.
1. Dangers to fish and sea life
K. brevis produces toxins called brevetoxins that affect the central nervous systems of fish and other vertebrates. These brevetoxins travel to the fish's central nervous system, impairing their biological processes and eventually causing death. Brevetoxins also affect birds, sea lions, sea turtles, and other animals.
2. Dangers to humans and animals
Water waves cause K. brevis cells to break open, releasing brevetoxins into the air, leading to respiratory irritation in humans and animals. Red tide can lead to serious complications for people with underlying respiratory conditions such as asthma or emphysema.
Brevetoxins cause irritation in the nose, eyes, and throat. If you inhale the intoxicating air at the beach and start experiencing irritation, you should leave the beach immediately. Red tide can cause skin irritation if you swim in the contaminated water.
K. brevis also accumulates in the cells of filter-feeding mollusks such as oysters and clams. If you eat affected seafood, you can suffer neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.
What are the effects of Florida Red Tide on the economy?
Red tide has serious economic implications. The economic effects during red tide bloom are experienced across tourism, public health, commercial fisheries, and monitoring and management.
The estimated yearly losses in Florida's tourism sector due to red tide are $20 million.
The significant red tide event during the 2015-16 hard clam aquaculture industry cost businesses over $1.3 million in sales.
In this same 2015-16 event in Sarasota County, treatment costs for respiratory illnesses contributed to red tide averaged out to $4 million.
Estimates from nearly two decades ago indicate that the annual clean-up costs for removing tons of dead fish and marine life due to red tide are more than $160k. However, severe events of red tide can push this figure into the millions.
Key Takeaways
Red tide is a naturally occurring phenomenon caused by microscopic algae blooms that can seriously affect the environment and the economy. The toxins produced by the algae can lead to harmful effects on fish, sea life, humans, and animals, including respiratory issues and skin irritation.
Furthermore, red tide has significant economic implications, particularly for tourism and the fishing industry, as well as public health, monitoring, and management costs.
It is important to stay informed of red tide forecasts and follow safety guidelines during algae blooms. You can get reports about red tide on the FWC’s Daily sample map. And use See Fish AR app to post pictures and videos of the fish you see or catch during the Florida Red Tide bloom.
