Scott defends role and says red tide "nothing new" in Florida

TALLAHASSEE — A week after he was heckled by red tide protesters at an appearance in Venice, Gov. Rick Scott defended his role before a state agency dealing with the crisis.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, meeting in Havana for an update on the algal bloom that is killing sea life, fouling waterways and hurting businesses along the Gulf Coast, took a phone call from Scott about his efforts to ease the problem.

Read more: Complete coverage of red tide in Southwest Florida

“We all know that red tide is nothing new to Florida,” Scott said. “Scientists ... have made very clear that people in Florida have noticed naturally-occurring incidents of algae on the Gulf Coast for hundreds of years.

“But that doesn’t mean we don’t do what we can do to mitigate the problem,” he added.

For Scott, campaigning to unseat three-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, the 145-mile red tide bloom off Southwest Florida has emerged as a serious political challenge, along with causing massive fish kills and health warnings along the shoreline. The toxic algae has also more recently been detected off the Florida Panhandle.

Scott’s environmental record includes deep cuts to funding for the state’s water management districts and repeal of strict septic tank regulations.

While Wednesday’s commission discussion emphasized that red tide is a natural phenomenon originating deep in the Gulf and carried by current and winds, scientists say the problem is enhanced by land-borne pollutants.

With a separate toxic algal bloom fouling waterways on both coasts, a recent Florida Atlantic University poll shows 32 percent of voters blame state government for the problem, although 38 percent acknowledge they don’t know who is at fault.

But residents angered by the crisis have prompted the Scott campaign to steer clear of the Treasure Coast and last week, a shouting crowd caused the governor to hastily cut short an appearance in Venice, a usually reliable Republican stronghold.

Scott on Wednesday said the state has spent more than $17 million on red tide research since 2011, including $5 million in a partnership with Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory on the origins of red tide.

The governor steered another $2.2 million to Mote this week for work aimed at easing the effects of red tide. Scott also is asking the Fish and Wildlife Commission to seek approval from the Legislature next year for a Florida Center for Red Tide Research.

Still, the commission also took immediate steps to extend to May a current restriction on fishing for red drum and snook, lengthening it along the Southwest Coast from Naples to now include Pasco County.

The mandatory catch-and-release order, aimed at helping the hard-hit fish population rebuild, had been set to expire Oct. 12.

Charter boat captains from Gulf communities attended Wednesday’s hearing, with most saying they support the restriction so that fish can replenish.

“Now is not the time to place blame,” said Philip O’Bannon of Boca Grande. “But fishing management is needed.”