Higher levels of red tide found at Sarasota-area beaches; visitors cautioned

Jesse Mendoza, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read

The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County issued a public notice late Monday to caution visitors about the presence of red tide at a handful of area beaches.

The department cited samples processed on Monday that show "elevated" levels of red tide present at beaches including Venice Beach, Service Club Park, Venice Fishing Pier, Brohard Beach, Caspersen Beach, Manasota Key, and Blind Pass.

Monday's findings mark the farthest north that medium to high levels of red tide have been identified offshore, according to FWC sampling data.

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A screenshot of a map produced by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows the presence of high levels of red tide in Sarasota Bay this week.
A screenshot of a map produced by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows the presence of high levels of red tide in Sarasota Bay this week.

The red tide reached bloom levels last week south of Sarasota near the shores of some of the same communities most impacted by Hurricane Ian. Experts believe the category 4 storm and recent cold fronts pushed red tide toward the Gulf coast in recent weeks.

Samples processed Monday show high levels of Karenia Brevis, the organism that causes red tide, in Sarasota Bay just offshore from City Island. Medium levels were also found nearby at the New Pass Dock.

Samples taken Friday show red tide is not present in Manatee County, although no new samples have been published for the area this week.

The DOH-Sarasota cautions beach visitors about the potential for mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms caused by red tide. Those include eye, nose, and throat irritation similar to the symptoms associated with the common cold.

The department recommends visitors avoid swimming in the water near dead fish and urges those who experience chronic respiratory problems to consider staying away from local beaches, and to keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam, and dead sea life.

The department also cautions fishermen to not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish or distressed fish.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Red tide: Higher levels found in Sarasota, Venice, Manasota Key