The Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County advises the public to be cautious due to the presence of red tide. This is in response to water samples taken on October 24 and 28.
Now fishing charters in Charlotte County are feeling the impacts.
"They're not going to want to go out fishing. They're not going to want to go to the restaurants. It's just going to be it's going to be really hard on the economy and for the people in certain industries for sure," said Captain Jeff Watkins with Anchors Away Charters.
With the fishy smell creeping up on Southwest Florida, Captain Keith Santucci with Fishing4Reel Charters said he's even had to pickup side jobs to make some extra cash.
"The last couple of months, I found myself doing handyman stuff. We talk every day about, kind of a support team. What are we going to do? Take one day at a time and just hope it gets better," said Santucci.
The alert was issued for Punta Gorda Beach and Little Gasparilla Island and a health caution for Boca Grande Causeway (Gasparilla Sound)
According to the DOH-Charlotte, residents and visitors are advised to take precautions if near affected areas:
- Look for information signage/check water quality status here .
- Do not swim or wade around in red tide. It can cause skin irritation, rashes and burning/sore eyes.
- Wash your skin and clothing with soap and fresh water if you had recent contact with red tide.
- Stay away from the affected location if you have chronic respiratory conditions.
- Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows.
- Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish or stressed or dead fish. If caught alive and healthy, finish are safe to eat as long as they are filleted and the guts are thrown away. Rinse fillets with tap or bottled water.
- Red tide can cause illness and death of other animals, such as pets and livestock. Keep animals away and out of water. If your pet swims in water with red tide, wash them with soap and water as soon as possible.
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What is Red Tide?
Red tide is caused by high concentrations of a toxin-producing dinoflagellate called Karenia brevis (K. brevis), a type of microscopic algae found in the Gulf of Mexico. Red tide typically forms naturally offshore, commonly in late summer or early fall, and is carried into coastal waters by winds and currents.
At high enough concentrations, K. brevis can discolor water and give it a red or brown hue.
Where Can I Find Current Water Status Information?
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission routinely collects and analyzes red tide samples from around the state. Current information about Florida’s water quality status and public health notifications for harmful algae blooms and beach conditions is available at Protecting Florida Together . You can subscribe to receive notifications when water quality changes in your area.
To hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state, call the toll-free hotline at 866-300-9399.
Where Can I Report Issues Related to Red Tide?
- Human Health : Report symptoms from exposure to harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center by calling 800-222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist.
- Animal Health: Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with red tide-contaminated water.
- Fish Kills: Dead, diseased, or abnormally behaving fish or wildlife should be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission online or at 800-636-0511.