Red tide is spreading north according to a recent report by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Commission.
After an algae bloom was first detected last week in Bay County, a Wednesday water test has revealed a “medium” concentration of red tide, according to FWC.
The presence of the algae has also resulted in an increased amount of dead marine life, the report showed.
Prior to Wednesday’s test, only Bay County’s shore tested positive, but now trace amounts of red tide are creeping around the panhandle in Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Gulf and Franklin counties, FWC reported. These counties also saw an increase of “fish kills,” with red tide noted as the probable cause.
And as the threat spreads north, about 130 miles of the southwest coast remains in the grip of red tide, with high concentrations found in Sarasota, Lee, Charolette, Manatee and Pinellas counties.
Red tide poses a danger to marine life and humans who breathe in the toxic air quality causing respiratory irritation, the report stated. Breathing irritation was reported over the past week in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and Lee counties.
The east coast tested negative for red tide again.
jpedersen@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5268 or @JoeMarPedersen on Twitter
