ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As much as Island residents and visitors hoped the red tide event would continue to spare Anna Maria Island beaches, unfortunately, this is not the case. Beaches that were free from red tide just days ago are now showing signs of the problem, and beachgoers are beginning to suffer the effects.
“We went fishing yesterday and our captain said some of the fish go into the bay and get trapped and are dying,” said Kelly Heckard, who is visiting for two weeks with her family from Cincinnati. “Our captain also said the sharks can smell it and will avoid red tide areas, so the shark fishing is no good. We did however catch some red snapper and some mackerel, which we’re grilling here on the beach today.”
While some places such as the Rod & Reel Pier have said not to eat the fish, according to Heckard, her captain said the fish they caught in the bay were safe to eat. As far as symptoms from red tide, Heckard said that she and her husband both had some coughing issues and her children had both suffered some stomach problems and burning eyes, which subsided as soon as they got away from the water.
You don’t need to test the water or use complex science to know that red tide has made its way to the Island. On Monday, July 19 there were very few open parking spots at Coquina Beach, but by Thursday, July 22 there were hundreds of open spots, with entire rows being empty. Since most resorts and condo rentals tend to do a Saturday to Saturday rent schedule, that indicates that people haven’t left the Island, they just aren’t going to the beach.
“We had already booked a couple of months ago and couldn’t cancel, so we said we’ll wing it,” said Danielle Obermark, who is staying on Longboat Key with friends Sandy Guy and Jacob King from Auburndale, Fla. “I think the reports aren’t as accurate as when you get here. The reports I was seeing from Mote Marine before we got here said many dead fish, but we have only seen a couple.”
Obermark and the friends she is traveling with decided to take a break from the beach to spend some time shopping and dining on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Although they are staying in a condo on Longboat Key, they said there isn’t much to do there if you’re not relaxing on the beach. Anna Maria Island offers more off-the-beach activities, so it was worth the quick trip of 5 miles to be able to get a bite to eat and do some shopping.
“The breathing and the coughing, not having a clean beach; I wish we knew where there was a clean beach. We come here a lot and the beaches are normally so great, this is very different from anything we’ve seen,” said Guy. “We’ve been here many times, but this is our first red tide.”
While visitors come to Anna Maria Island from around the world for the warm weather and beaches, there is plenty to do on the Island and surrounding areas that will still assure an amazing vacation. Take advantage of your pool, which right now will be warm 24 hours a day and give you refreshment you may not be able to get from the Gulf at this time. Shopping, mini golf, scooter rentals, biking, culinary adventures and relaxing by the pool will make sure your vacation isn’t a bust on the Island.
If you are willing to take a ride off the Island, you will find even more activities that will make your time in the area something you will remember for years to come. To the south, there are attractions such as Sarasota Jungle Gardens, where you can get up close to native wildlife such as alligators, exotic birds, snakes and reptiles – you can even hand feed flamingos. The Ringling Museum features world-class art collected by circus founder John Ringling. St. Armands Circle offers shopping and dining just 20 minutes from the Island.
To the east in Bradenton, you will find many attractions that will make your trip one to remember. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Palma Sola Botanical Park, Manatee Village Historical Park, Perico Preserve, Village of the Arts and Riverwalk are just a few things that are sure to impress.
While red tide is here, it’s important to remember that it may be affecting one section of beach and not another, at least in high concentrations. There are likely places that will be better than others, and doing a little research will go a long way in making your time at the beach the best it can be.
One of the best tools to find out the condition of the beach you plan to visit is provided by Mote Marine Laboratory, which will not only give you real-time algae conditions, but will also inform you of rip currents, weather, surf conditions, water conditions and any alerts that may be of concern. You can also call 1-941-BEACHES to get valuable information that will help you make the most of your day at the beach.
