The Department of Health in Lee County warns that red tide is 5.5 miles off the coast of Bowman’s Beach on Sanibel.
Red tide is a toxic microscopic algae that is known to kill fish when there is a high concentration.
Red tide is in the forecast until our next cold front, that is what experts with Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation.
Beachgoers at Lighthouse Beach did not notice many impacts Tuesday, but the SCCF said red tide algae can be lurking in the water. It does daily water samples, and it has seen a very low amount near Bowman’s Beach.
“We collect a water sample, and we look at it under the microscope,” Eric Milbrandt, SCCF marine lab director, said. “These creatures are very, very small. Yesterday, I had a low number."
The good news is that they are not detecting much algae right now, and the chances will not go up thanks to a cold front coming at the end of this week.
The SCCF said water releases from Lake Okeechobee can play a role. Red tide can be caused by water runoff bringing in chemicals like fertilizer into the area.