ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County has issued a red tide advisory for Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key.
Low levels of red tide persist in Manatee County, and fish kills were reported at the 59th Street canal in Holmes Beach on May 18, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.
Low concentrations were detected at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria and the Holmes Beach Boat Ramp.
Very low concentrations were detected in water samples at School Key (Key Royale on Anna Maria Island) and the Longboat Pass Boat Ramp.
Background concentrations of the toxic algae were detected at the Palma Sola Bay bridge.
Red tide produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, according to the Florida Department of Health. Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the water, go inside to an air-conditioned space, or wear masks, especially during onshore winds. Residents may consider wearing masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.
No red tide-related respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Manatee County.
Consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. Health officials also warn against swimming near dead fish, and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and sea foam, which can contain high concentrations of algae. Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches, but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue.
Environmental officials say that the nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen, which feed toxic red tide algae blooms, were present in the 215 million gallons of polluted water discharged last month into Tampa Bay at Port Manatee from one of the closed Piney Point phosphate plant’s retention ponds, built into a gypsum stack. The emergency release, which ended April 9, took pressure off the compromised stack, avoiding its collapse and a more serious spill. The polluted water is spreading in Tampa Bay and its estuaries and into the Gulf of Mexico, according to the University of South Florida College of Marine Science.
