'Red tide tickle' strikes Sarasota County beaches

SARASOTA — High cell counts of the toxic algae Karenia brevis at four Sarasota County beaches are causing respiratory problems again for some visitors.

Only two of the 16 county beaches had no traces of red tide — Longboat Key and Lido beaches. Visitors are mostly likely to feel the effects in Venice at Service Club Park, Venice Fishing Pier, Brohard (Dog), Venice, North Jetty, Nokomis Beach, Turtle, Manasota and Caspersen public beaches, where high to medium concentrations were reported.

Read more: Complete coverage of red tide in Southwest Florida

Siesta, South Lido and Bird Key reported nearly undetectable levels.

After relief at the end of December, there have been flareups of the patchy red tide bloom, typically when westerly winds blow surface water with red tide closer to shore. Winds are currently from the west at around 5 mph.

Cold fronts that brought chilly overnight temperatures in the 40s have not helped disperse the outbreak, which began in November 2017. Water temperatures dipped to 67 degrees but red tide cells do not become stressed until 60 degrees.

A brief warmup will take place Saturday with highs in the 70s. Sunday's forecast calls for highs of 66 and a low of 42. South to northwest winds between 22 and 32 mph are expected on Saturday and Sunday.

Trace to very low amounts of red tide were reported in Manatee County. Sarasota County had trace to high amounts, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission samplings. Water tests in Charlotte County have very low concentrations.

No fish kills related to red tide were reported this week, the FWC says.

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