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HB Fish Canal

Holmes Beach officials responding to fish floating in canals

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Holmes Beach city officials are aware of the dead fish floating in some of Holmes Beach’s residential canals and they are working to rectify the situation.

One of the most visible instances is in the canal along Marina Drive, near 63rd Street.

On Friday, Nov. 23, outgoing Holmes Beach Mayor Bob Johnson said members of the city’s Public Works Department would be out in the city boat Saturday morning removing dead fish from canals. He said the fish removed would be placed in a designated dumpster and pick up by WastePro by noon on Saturday.

“We’re working on it. What we’ve been doing is picking these things up every couple days because they’ve been at different places at different times, depending on which way the wind blows. The other side of that is getting rid of the fish, so we have a dumpster service that we use. We don’t leave them in the dumpster overnight because that also causes problems,” Johnson said.

“They’re trying to keep up with it,” Police Chief Bill Tokajer later added.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said he hadn’t received any reports of dead fish floating in Anna Maria’s canals. He said if he gets any reports of that nature he would reach out to the Cortez commercial fishermen who earlier this year assisted the city with its red tide-related shoreline cleanup efforts along South Bay Boulevard.

Captain’s concerns

On Thursday, Nov. 22, Holmes Beach resident and charter fishing captain Scott Moore suggested at his Facebook page that it would be smart for the city of Holmes Beach to remove the dead fish as soon as possible because that would benefit the Island’s residents and visitors. He also stated his view that it’s more environmentally sound to remove the fish quickly rather than allowing them to sink to the bottom and decompose.

When contacted Friday, Moore said, “Most of them are mullet, it’s a shame. As soon as those fish pop up, they need to get them. They shouldn’t wait until they’re half-rotted because once they start to decay and rot that puts nutrients back in the water that can help regenerate red tide.”

Moore said these views were shaped in part by scientific opinions cited at a meeting he attended after the red tide blooms began appearing near Anna Maria Island in early August.

“Hopefully they can clean that up because it’s hard on the tourism. I’m not complaining about Holmes Beach, I know they’re limited. A month ago, Holmes Beach workers came down and cleaned up my canal,” Moore said.

Moore said he was also aware of dead fish floating in other nearby residential canals, including canals in Key Royale and Seaside Gardens.

On a more positive note, Moore said the water on the Gulf side looked good.

“The beach is beautiful. The water at 28th Street is beautiful. It’s only on the bay side, and some in Palma Sola too. I caught a lot of fish in the river near Terra Ceia this week. The water there was good,” Moore said.

Social media commentary

On Wednesday, Nov. 21, Anna Maria resident Cheri Sackett initiated a Facebook conversation that started with her post that said, “The canal by 63rd St. is littered with dead fish again.”

HB Fish Facebook 1128 S
On Wednesday, Anna Maria resident Cheri Sackett posted this on her Facebook page, which then generated responses from several other users. – Facebook | Submitted

Facebook user Rich Bell noted this is something Island visitors would notice when visiting or passing through Holmes Beach.

“Go net the canal,” he suggested.

Brett Nance posted a response that said he cruised in his boat and spotted several large dead fish floating in the canals and by the Kingfish Boat Ramp too.

A few Facebook users commented on how the lingering red tide is affecting their respiratory health and the unpleasant smell it created at times.

According the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website, the red tide levels offshore of Manatee County between Nov. 15 and Nov. 21 remained within 5 percent (positive or negative) of the levels recorded the previous week.

 

https://amisun.com/2018/11/23/patchy-red-tide-forecast-at-high-levels/

Patchy red tide forecast at high levels

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Archives, Featured.

High levels of patchy red tide are predicted through at least Monday, Nov. 26 around Anna Maria Island, with medium levels to the north and south of the Island, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

The Nov. 23 FWC report shows high concentrations of red tide in water samples collected on Nov. 19 at Longboat Pass boat ramp in Sarasota Bay. Medium levels were found on Nov. 19 at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach and the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria, with medium levels at School Key on Nov. 20, high levels at Mead Point in lower Tampa Bay on Nov. 20 and low levels at the Palma Sola Bay bridge on Nov. 19.

Respiratory irritation was reported Nov. 13-19 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and Nov. 15-17 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).

Fish kills also were reported in Manatee County over the past week.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

The toxic algae bloom has been present in the southwest Gulf of Mexico for the past year, reaching Anna Maria Island in early August. It was detected in Florida’s Atlantic Ocean waters in October.

Related coverage

Holmes Beach officials responding to fish floating in canals

reel time Clam Drop

Reel Time: Sarasota Bay Watch clams survive red tide

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Environment, Outdoors, Red tide, Reel Time.

Sarasota Bay Watch (SBW) is excited that the clams they introduced into Sarasota Bay this past summer survived the recent red tide outbreak, an outbreak that included the highest concentrations of Karenia brevis ever recorded.

SBW originally focused its shellfish restoration efforts on scallops. Since it was formed in 2007, SBW has released over 21 million scallop larvae, and will continue its scallop restoration program.

Like bay scallops, southern hard clams (aka quahogs) were once abundant in our bays and waterways. Due to the same factors that affected scallops – overharvest, water pollution, sewage, dredge and fill and stormwater runoff – clams no longer thrive in local waters.

The decision to add clams to the restoration effort came about because of their ability to withstand red tide and their extended life cycle. Clams inhabit shallow flats and bays from Canada to Florida. They range in size from one to four inches wide and vary in color from gray to white. Depending on their size they are also known as cherrystone or littlenecks.

Unlike bay scallops, which have a maximum lifespan of 1.5 years and are sensitive to red tide, the southern hard clam lives up to 30 years and actually eats red tide, mitigating the harmful effects of the toxin.  An adult can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day. In the filtering process, they also absorb assorted viruses, toxins and bacteria in the polluted water. Low levels of pollutants do not harm clams, and they are able to clean themselves when the pollutants are removed.

Scallops also are a favorite food for many marine animals and suffer from predation throughout their short life cycle. Adult clams feature a thick protective shell that is virtually predator-free (except for human harvesting).

These facts convinced SBW to mobilize its experience and team of enthusiastic volunteers to clam restoration as well.  The program is now in full swing with plans to begin a fresh effort in 2019.  START (Solutions to Avoid Red Tide) generously provided seed funding to create a matching challenge, while community funding rose to the task as well.  These donations, along with a gift from the Disney Conservation Fund, provided the springboard to kick-start this effort.

This past Saturday, SBW did its fifth release in Sarasota Bay and provided clams to Mote scientist Jim Culter, who is documenting and monitoring the effort.  The organization continues to gain experience and was assisted by Eagle Gulf Coast Distributors, which provided a refrigerated truck to transport the clams from Pine Island where they are being grown out. SBW partner, Larry Beggs, of Reef Innovations, once again provided his barge to assist in the transportation and distribution of the clams to their new home in Sarasota Bay. The effort was launched from the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, a longtime conservation partner.

SBW is excited by the prospect of clams improving our bays and increasing water clarity, which will in turn support healthier and more abundant sea grass. In addition, these adult clams will naturally reproduce. This will increase their stocks in our bays and waterways.

Sarasota Bay Watch is a grass-roots, non-profit, citizen-based organization dedicated to preserving and restoring Sarasota Bay’s ecosystem through education and citizen participation. You can become an active participant by volunteering in Sarasota Bay Watch’s on-going effort to protect and restore this valuable natural resource. Visit their site to learn more.

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Mote’s Red Tide Institute welcomes Heil

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Environment, Outdoors, Red tide.

Dr. Cynthia Heil is the new director of Mote Marine Laboratory’s new Red Tide Institute, which focuses on studying and testing Florida red tide mitigation and control technologies to improve the quality of life in coastal communities.

The institute was established last month with a $1 million philanthropic investment from its founding donor, the Andrew and Judith Economos Charitable Foundation.

Mote, an independent, nonprofit marine science institution, has conducted research, monitoring and public outreach on the Florida red tide alga (Karenia brevis) with multiple partners for decades, particularly through a cooperative program with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The Red Tide Institute at Mote will apply the significant knowledge gained on the ecological dynamics of red tide blooms to develop and test innovative, science-based technologies for attacking red tide blooms and reducing their impacts to the environment, economy and quality of life in local communities.

Red tide Mote 1121
Dr. Cynthia Heil will join Mote Marine Laboratory as director of the Red Tide Institute. – BIGELOW LABORATORY FOR OCEAN SCIENCES | SUBMITTED

Dr. Heil will join Mote on Jan. 1 as senior scientist for the HAB Mitigation Research Program and director of the Red Tide Institute at Mote, applying her decades of laboratory and field experience studying K. brevis and other species of harmful algae. She comes to Mote from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Maine, where she developed an independent research program focused on water quality, harmful algal blooms and ecosystem management.

By accepting this new position, she will renew her long-term focus on K. brevis research in Florida, where she previously served as senior research scientist and administrator and harmful algal bloom group leader for FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, and led earlier algal bloom research at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science (USF).

Heil’s new HAB Mitigation Research Program will complement five ongoing and diverse Mote research programs working on Florida red tide. She also brings new expertise in mitigating a major Florida red tide impact – airborne toxins that cause respiratory irritation in humans. Working with both K. brevis and the freshwater cyanobacteria Microcystis, Heil and a collaborator at Bigelow are investigating substances that alter water surface tension and bubble formation with the goal of reducing algal toxins entering the air.

“I am absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the world-class Mote scientists on Karenia research again,” Heil said in a press release. “Through Mote’s new Red Tide Institute, I hope we can begin finding practical solutions to alleviate the impacts of Florida red tide and to safeguard human health and our marine environment.”

While the list of mitigation options to be tested by the Institute is still being considered, participating scientists have already begun to identify several promising mitigation technologies for preliminary laboratory testing prior to being considered for controlled, pilot-scale field testing. Mote scientists are also examining which approaches have been used by others around the world and how these might be adapted for the Gulf’s red tide.

“We cannot imagine a better choice for leadership of our new Red Tide Institute,” said Mote President and CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby. “Dr. Heil is internationally renowned in the field of harmful algal bloom science, and her landmark contributions to the peer-reviewed research, including studies co-authored with our other world-class Mote scientists over the years, have helped the field advance to where it is today.

“Now we are launching the Red Tide Institute at Mote, armed with the knowledge, the experience and the philanthropic support to focus on developing, testing and deploying mitigation and control technologies much more systematically, strategically and comprehensively than ever before.”

Mote is seeking additional philanthropic support to expand and enhance the research capacity of its Red Tide Institute and leverage the generous support of its founding donor, the Andrew and Judith Economos Charitable Foundation. Those interested can contact Mote’s Development team at 941-388-4441, ext. 309.

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November is Manatee Awareness Month

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Manatees, Outdoors.

It’s been a tough couple of years for Florida manatees.

Coast Lines logo - border

So far this year, 714 manatees have died, compared to 538 in 2017, out of about 6,000 estimated to live in Florida waters, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Red tide has been active in Gulf and inland waters in Southwest Florida since last October, killing 67 of the 714 manatees, with red tide suspected in the deaths of 121 others. Nine were found in Manatee County.

The red tide neurotoxin causes manatees to have seizures that can result in drowning. If rescued in time, most manatees can recover, so report a sick manatee (muscle twitches, lack of coordination, labored breathing, an inability to maintain body orientation) immediately to the FWC Hotline at 1-888-404-3922, or email Tip@MyFWC.com. Use VHF Channel 16 on a marine radio.

To survive, manatees in Florida waters also have to avoid eating red tide-poisoned seagrass, flee cold water, escape from people who climb on them and ride on their backs, and dodge boat propellers.

Last year, 107 manatees died from boat strikes in Florida last year, with 98 so far this year, according to the FWC.

Boats accidents prompted former Florida Gov. Bob Graham to make November Manatee Awareness Month in 1979.

As the official state marine mammals head from the Gulf of Mexico, rivers and bays to the warmer winter waters of springs, boaters should be careful to note speed zones that take effect in November.

To help protect manatees, follow these tips:

  • Obey posted signs for manatee slow-speed zones.
  • Wear polarized sunglasses to see manatees in your path.
  • If you observe a manatee mating herd – several manatees gathered as males vie to mate with a female – watch from at least 100 feet away. Coming any closer might disrupt the mating or endanger you; adult manatees typically weigh more than 1,000 pounds.
  • Never feed or water manatees as they will become habituated to people, which could put them at risk of injury.
  • Stow trash and line when underway. Marine debris that blows overboard can become ingested by or entangled around manatees.

Contact the FWC Wildlife Alert hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922):

  • If you see a manatee with a pink or red (fresh) wound.
  • If the manatee is tilting to one side, unable to submerge or seems to have trouble breathing.
  • If you see someone separating a mother from her calf.
  • If you see a manatee calf by itself with no adults around for an extended period of time.
  • If you see someone harassing a manatee in any way.
  • If you see boaters speeding in a protected area.
  • If you see a manatee entangled in monofilament, crab-trap lines or other debris.
  • If you see a dead manatee.

Free shoreline property signs, boating banners, decals, waterway cards and educational posters are available at Save the Manatee Club.

Red tide forecast medium through Monday

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Red tide.

Medium levels of patchy red tide are predicted through at least Monday, Nov. 19 around Anna Maria Island, with high levels to the north and south of the Island, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

The Nov. 16 FWC report shows medium concentrations of red tide in water samples collected on Nov. 13 in the Gulf of Mexico at Longboat Pass boat ramp in Sarasota Bay, Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach, the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria, School Key and Mead Point in lower Tampa Bay and at the Palma Sola Bay bridge.

Fish kills also were reported in Manatee County over the past week.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

The toxic algae bloom has been spreading in the southwest Gulf of Mexico for the past year, reaching Anna Maria Island in early August. It was detected in Florida’s east coast waters in October.

Red tide forecast remains high

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Red tide.

High levels of red tide are forecast through at least Monday, Nov. 12 in waters around Anna Maria Island, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

The Nov. 9 report shows high concentrations of red tide in water samples collected on Nov. 5 in the Gulf of Mexico at Longboat Pass boat ramp in Sarasota Bay, with medium concentrations at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach, the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria and at School Key in lower Tampa Bay. No red tide was found at the Palma Sola Bay bridge.

Respiratory irritation was reported on Oct. 31, Nov. 2-3, Nov. 5-7 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and Oct. 31, Nov. 3 and Nov. 5-8 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).

Fish kills also were reported in Manatee County over the past week.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

The toxic algae bloom has been spreading in the southwest Gulf of Mexico for the past year, reaching Anna Maria Island in early August. It was detected in Florida’s east coast waters in October.

Red tide high through Monday

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Red tide.

Patchy red tide is forecast to remain high in the air and water around Anna Maria Island through at least Monday, Nov. 5, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

The Nov. 2 report shows high concentrations of red tide in water samples collected on Oct. 29 in the Gulf of Mexico at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach and at Longboat Pass boat ramp in Sarasota Bay, with medium concentrations at the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria and at School Key and Mead Point in lower Tampa Bay.

Red tide was not found in Gulf waters 40, 50 and 60 miles west of the Island on Oct. 25, but was found in high concentrations 9 miles out.

Respiratory irritation was reported Oct. 25-27 and Oct. 29-31 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and Oct. 24-Nov. 1 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).

Fish kills also were reported in Manatee County over the past week.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

The toxic algae bloom has been spreading in the southwest Gulf of Mexico for the past year, reaching Anna Maria Island in early August. It was detected in Florida’s east coast waters in October.

Red tide forecast high through Saturday

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Red tide.

Red tide is forecast to be high in the air and water around Anna Maria Island through at least Saturday, Nov. 3, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reports today.

The Oct. 31 report shows high concentrations of red tide in water samples collected on Oct. 29 at Cortez Beach and Longboat Pass boat ramp, both in Bradenton Beach, with medium concentrations at the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria and at Perico Island.

Water samples taken on Monday, Oct. 29 show high and medium levels of red tide around Anna Maria Island.

Gov. Rick Scott announced today that $765,000 will go toward funding additional FWC scientists and field and laboratory equipment to support efforts to mitigate the impacts of red tide, and that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has committed nearly $1.3 million in grant funding to Atlantic coast communities to support efforts to mitigate the impacts of red tide.

Respiratory irritation was reported Oct. 18-23 and Oct. 25 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and Oct. 18, Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 23-25 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).

Fish kills also were reported in Manatee County over the past week.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

The toxic algae bloom has been spreading in the southwest Gulf of Mexico for the past year, reaching Anna Maria Island in early August. It was detected in Florida’s east coast waters early this month.

Red tide sign

Red tide high through Monday

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Red tide.

High levels of red tide are back in the air and water around Anna Maria Island, and forecasters predict high levels will continue through Monday, Oct. 29, according to today’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) report.

The red tide forecast through Monday, Oct. 29 is mostly high for Anna Maria Island. – University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

Between 5 percent and 25 percent more water samples showed medium or high levels of red tide than the previous week, according to the Oct. 26 report, which shows high concentrations of red tide in water samples collected on Oct. 22 at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach, and medium concentrations at the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria and Longboat Pass boat ramp in Bradenton Beach.

Respiratory irritation was reported Oct. 18-23 and Oct. 25 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and Oct. 18, Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 23-25 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).

Fish kills also were reported in Manatee County over the previous week.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

The toxic algae bloom has been spreading in the southwest Gulf of Mexico for the past year, reaching Anna Maria Island in early August. It was detected in Florida’s east coast waters early this month.

Red tide loan center relocates

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Business, Featured.

The U.S. Small Business Administration Business Recovery Center moves today to the Tingley Memorial Library, 111 Second St. N. in Bradenton Beach to help business owners affected by the red tide bloom.

The temporary center will operate weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointments are necessary. The center is moving from the Island Branch Library in Holmes Beach.

An SBA representative will be on hand to provide information about disaster loans, answer questions and assist businesses in completing the SBA application. Manatee County’s Economic Development team and local partners such as the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, the Bradenton Area Economic Development Council and the Small Business Development Center also will be on hand to provide information and resources to help businesses document financial losses at www.Floridadisaster.biz.

“The Business Recovery Center has served over 134 local businesses so far and the SBA has received 25 completed applications as of last week,” said Karen Stewart, Manatee County Economic Development official. “The total dollar amount approved from the SBA and the State of Florida Bridge Loan is approximately $897,000.”

For more information, visit SBA’s website. Applicants also may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX, 76155.

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Red tide resources

Red tide weekend forecast good

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Red tide.

The red tide forecast predicts very low concentrations of the toxic algae in Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay waters at the north tip of Anna Maria Island, and low concentrations around the rest of the Island through at least Monday, Oct. 22, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

Hurricane Michael did not destroy the red tide bloom that showed up in local waters on Aug. 3, but local levels are staying low, according to an Oct. 19 FWC report.

The report shows low concentrations of red tide in water samples on Oct. 15 at Cortez Beach and Longboat Pass (Bradenton Beach), with very low concentrations at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria and none at the Palma Sola Bay bridge.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.

Respiratory irritation was reported on Oct. 11, Oct. 13 and Oct. 17-18 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 16-18 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).

No fish kills were reported in Manatee County from Oct. 12-19.

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

The bloom has been spreading in the southwest Gulf of Mexico for the past year and was first detected in Florida’s east coast waters early this month.

Air sampling for red tide toxins

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Red tide.

Mote Marine Laboratory scientists and the Florida Department of Health are now taking air samples 8-10 miles from Sarasota County beaches to measure how far inland Florida red tide toxins travel.

The study will be expanded to surrounding counties, including possibly Manatee County, depending on where red tide is prevalent, Mote Ecotoxicology Program Manager and Senior Scientist Dr. Richard Pierce said.

Previous studies show that the neurotoxin from Florida red tide, called brevetoxin, can travel inland as far as 2.6 miles from the coast. But people have reported experiencing respiratory irritation even further from shore during the current bloom, which the new study will test.

“In this new effort, we will place air sampling instruments in a transect that reaches further inland than previous studies have covered, to see what concentrations of brevetoxins, if any, are traveling the distances at which these effects are being reported,” Pierce said.

Mote scientists are using 12 air samplers, deployed 6-12 hours at a time, that pull air through filters to collect aerosolized toxins for later analysis at the Sarasota lab.

Pierce said a written report will be presented to local health officials when the study is completed to provide improved public information to those sensitive to the toxins, particularly people with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Other red tide research

  • Researchers at Mote and the University of South Florida College of Marine Science also are using underwater gliders to collect data that can help scientists locate red tide blooms.
  • USF researcher Dr. John Paul has developed a red tide Tricorder that tests water samples for the algae. The hand-held device, named for a fictional Star Trek scientific instrument, tests for red tide in the field, saving the time needed to return to the lab and expediting local government decisions on closing beaches and shellfish harvesting beds.
  • Mote also is experimenting with clay and ozone to remove Karenia brevis algae from water.
Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key

Tourism winter cure campaign set to launch

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Business, Featured, Tourism.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatee County’s new tourism marketing campaign will run from November through the winter tourist season to counteract the loss of visitors during the red tide bloom that began locally in August.

The strategy is contrary to what Bradenton Area Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director Elliott Falcione had promised Anna Maria Island residents requesting relief from burgeoning tourism, he told the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) on Monday.

But with the recent loss of visitors, “I think it makes sense,” he said. “Then next year we will get back to normal.”

The impact of red tide on Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key tourism has been significant, said the county’s tourism consultant, Walter Klages, of Research Data Services.

The number of visitors dropped from 48,700 in August 2017 to 42,000 this August.

“That’s a pretty significant impact and decrease,” he said.

Room nights decreased by 9.3 percent, economic impact dropped 11.4 percent and occupancy dropped 13.7 percent. The number of Floridians visiting the area was down nearly 23 percent in August, he said.

Tourism statistics are not yet available for September.

Red tide is a passing thing, Klages said, adding that visitors who have been to the area before will not be deterred from visiting again.

The county tourism agency no longer will respond to media requests to comment on the red tide, Falcione said.

“If you talk about economic loss, you create the perception in the market that we have a problem,” he said.

Monday’s red tide forecast from the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides is for low levels in Anna Maria Island waters and medium levels in Longboat Key waters through Wednesday, Oct. 17.

The cure

Local tourism marketers will use the new international digital marketing campaign to geotarget selected visitors, Falcione said.

The premise is based on ailments and a cure.

Got pale-a-tosis? Need-a-vacation-itis? Fam-nesia?

People searching online for vacation destinations will find cures for these conditions in Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, according to the county’s marketing agency, Aqua.

The cure for ailments like seeking a suntan, needing a break from work, or wanting more family time is a vacation prescribed by a “doctor” who details the symptoms of the ailments on three videos that soon will be available at the county’s tourism website.

The campaign will include a sweepstakes with prizes such as beach vacations.

The county’s previous marketing campaign was “Craft Your Own Vacation.”

Visit Florida helping red tide counties

Manatee County’s TDC is eligible for Visit Florida’s $500,000 Tourism Recovery Grant Program for Red Tide to assist counties affected by red tide, Visit Florida representative Jen Carlisle told the TDC.

Grant funds will assist the TDC with increasing visitation once red tide has subsided through advertising, direct mail, brochures, website development and other related projects.

Grant applications will be accepted until the red tide has subsided, she said.

Blue Community

“Red tide is a naturally-occurring phenomenon. Of that there is no doubt,” TDC member Ed Chiles said, adding that there also is no doubt about what feeds it.

Addressing environmental issues including harmful algal blooms like red tide and blue-green algae, shoreline restoration, seagrass, stormwater management, septic systems, sewage treatment and others is vital to tourism, he said.

“We ought to start pounding on the table,” Chiles said. “We’ve got to get with it.”

With that in mind, the TDC unanimously recommended that Manatee County commissioners use $25,000 in tourist tax funds to hold two training seminars on the Blue Community One Planet Living program at the Studio on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria this fall and winter.

The program will detail methods to increase tourism profits while protecting the environment, according to promoter Dave Randle of the University of South Florida.

“I think it is something that can differentiate ourselves,” Chiles said. “This is about Anna Maria Island being recognized internationally for what we’ve done,” such as Green Village on Pine Avenue.

In other business:

The TDC voted unanimously to recommend that Manatee County commissioners approve up to $5 million in tourist tax funds to improve drainage in the parking lot at Coquina Beach, a county park.

The project is estimated to cost $5.94 million, with other agencies contributing the difference. Bradenton Beach reduced permit fees for the project from $30,000 to $500.

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Red tide predictions for weekend: Low

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Red tide.

Low concentrations of red tide are predicted in Island waters from Oct. 13-15 by NOAA and the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

Today’s report from the FWC shows that red tide had decreased in waters off Anna Maria Island before Hurricane Michael passed by on Oct. 10.

Wildlife affected by red tide

Manatees

At least 172 manatees have died during the red tide bloom that has plagued Southwest Florida since October 2017, and which reached Anna Maria Island on Aug. 3.

To date, 67 dead manatees tested positive for red tide, and red tide is suspected in 105 manatee deaths, according to the FWC.

Nine manatee deaths have been recorded in Manatee County so far this year, three in Anna Maria Sound; none are confirmed from red tide.

So far this year, 676 manatees have died in state waters, compared to 538 in all of 2017.

Sea turtles

Since the red tide began locally in August, the Mote Marine Laboratory Stranding Investigations Program, serving Sarasota County and part of Manatee County, has taken in 216 sea turtles, only 14 of which were alive, with many of the deaths due to red tide exposure. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring has recorded 36 sea turtle strandings.

Dolphins

Mote has recorded 21 deceased bottlenose dolphins, 10 from red tide exposure. In all, 66 dolphins have stranded during the red tide as of Oct. 11, according to NOAA. No new strandings have been reported since Sept. 27.

Birds

Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Inc. in Bradenton Beach has taken in between 60-70 birds sick from eating fish contaminated with red tide, mostly cormorants and laughing gulls.

The Oct. 12 report shows that Manatee County water samples with medium or high levels of red tide decreased from 5 percent to 25 percent from the previous week.

Low concentrations of red tide were found in water samples on Oct. 8 at Longboat Pass, with very low concentrations at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria and background concentrations at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach, with none at the Palma Sola Bay bridge.

Red tide foam
Foam washed up on Anna Maria Island’s beaches after Hurricane Michael passed Wednesday. Scientists warn that foam has high concentrations of red tide and should not be touched. – Cindy Lane | Sun

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.

Respiratory irritation was reported on Oct. 4, and from Oct. 6-8 and Oct. 10-11 at Coquina Beach (Bradenton Beach), and Oct. 5-7 and Oct. 10-11 at Manatee Beach (Holmes Beach).

Fish kills also were reported in Manatee County over the past week.

Red tide fish kill
Dead fish killed by red tide washed up on the beach.  Manatee County crews rake the beaches daily. – Cindy Lane | Sun

Red tide is a type of algae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to fish, sea turtles, marine mammals and shorebirds that feed on affected fish, red tide makes shellfish unfit to eat, and can cause respiratory irritation in people, especially those with asthma, COPD or other respiratory diseases.

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