ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Red tide has been detected in Manatee County in low concentrations for the first time since the Piney Point disaster earlier this month.
Red tide-related respiratory irritation was reported in Manatee County, and fish kills were reported in Sarasota County to the south, according to the most recent Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.
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 into Tampa Bay at Port Manatee from one of the inactive 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 to avoid an accidental spill of even more of its contents.
Florida red tide events over 6 months long
1952-53 8 months
1953-55 18 months
1980 7 months
1995-97 17 months
1997-98 8 months
2001-02 8 months
2002-04 21 months
2004-06 17 months
2006-07 10 months
2012-13 8 months
2015-16 8 months
2016-17 8 months
2017-19 15 months
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection reports that the red tide is “not thought to be a direct result of the Piney Point discharges, however, elevated nutrients have the potential to exacerbate these algal blooms, and increased sampling is ongoing.”
Low concentrations of red tide were found at Mead Point (Perico Island) in lower Tampa Bay, and very low concentrations were detected at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria, also in lower Tampa Bay, School Key (Key Royale), and the Longboat Pass boat ramp in Sarasota Bay.
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.
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 seafoam, 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 leading to the Island.
