Red Tide

...its still around. so sad the amount of death

1st time ever i wish it would cool down in FL so we can go on the boat!
 
We are going out to Bunces pass this weekend, I will let you know how it is there, if bad, we will go to Gulfport and try there, if that's not good, we might try Beer Can island (further into the bay) but that's a lot of gas for one day!
 
My wife and I were on Captiva (stayed next to Key Lime Bistro) when this outbreak for 2018 started.....when we first got there we went in the water but by the second day, see a dead fish floating by now 'n then, so stopped going in the water but still enjoyed walking the beach..or tried to. But couldn't any more...you'd get a scratch in the throat and these short coughs. Was sad!

In 2.5 weeks we're doing another trip to our usual Anna Maria Island. Been following this particular outbreak very closely. Realizing we won't be able to get into the water much...maybe up at Bean Point depending on the tide direction (as Tampa Bay flush usually keeps north end a little clearer).

As we've been planning on relocating in about 5 years to around Anna Maria Island for a few years now...we're very saddened by this. I know Red Tides in the Gulf are naturally occurring (the gulf doesn't flush much with tides, and it's fed by dirty Mississippi River and many other rivers), but most people agree it's greatly heightened by polluted run-off from urban sprawl, and Lake Okee run-off. It usually starts near Ft Myers..right where Lake Okee runs off on the west coast. And on the east coast, Stuart/Jensen Beach area gets their own version...granted, that one cleans up much quicker due to nice tidal flow of open ocean on east coast. I just don't see a good effective "solution/fix" happening soon. Even though the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution high lighted a solution done over in Asia to fix their Brevis outbreaks very effectively and cheaply
https://www.bradenton.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article133842564.html
 
Bunces pass was okay, mostly really old fish remains, to the point where the smell was almost gone. The water was not clear, but not awful. Beautiful overall.
 

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Beaches closed today for at least 48 hours on East Coast from Jupiter down to mid-Palm Beach due to red-tide “conditions”. Taking water samples along the coast to verify, but several beach goers with respiratory distress and other sickness reported this morning.
 
Thanks for the updates - We are departing Chattanooga today for our 10-11 day trip for winter in Cape Coral...I'll keep an eye out for more reports here.
 
Thanks for the updates - We are departing Chattanooga today for our 10-11 day trip for winter in Cape Coral...I'll keep an eye out for more reports here.
safe travels,, We just got to The Cape an hour ago. Our canal looks ok. We are gonna boat down to the '92' tomorrow. We'll check out Tarpon Point Marina for ya.
 
Clearwater Beach is clear. The rest of Pinellas is mostly devoid of dead fish and irritation but water has not cleared yet. Air is fine.
 
We were out yesterday south of Clearwater (Bunces pass, N of Ft DeSoto, south of Shell Key)see above. Definitely not great, but not awful. Lots of dead fish on the shore, but old enough not to stink and mostly buried.
 
I agree, thats why im trying to get some real world opinions on the conditions from someone other then the tour guide or the local Chamber of Commerce.
 
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Was in long boat key this weekend. Water was very brown but we did not encounter any lung irritants or smell. We did see a batch of dead bait fish. Overall a beautiful boating weekend. We did not go in the water and the sand bars were empty. Sadly we have not seen as many dolphins as usual. Stone crab season starts 10/15. I will be curious to see if they have been effected.
 
Was in long boat key this weekend. Water was very brown but we did not encounter any lung irritants or smell. We did see a batch of dead bait fish. Overall a beautiful boating weekend. We did not go in the water and the sand bars were empty. Sadly we have not seen as many dolphins as usual. Stone crab season starts 10/15. I will be curious to see if they have been effected.
There were probably hundreds, (if not thousands if you include the entire shore line?) of dead spotted crabs on the shore of shell key, granted, they are smaller, but I’m guessing blue crabs will be affected as well.
 
safe travels,, We just got to The Cape an hour ago. Our canal looks ok. We are gonna boat down to the '92' tomorrow. We'll check out Tarpon Point Marina for ya.
Thanks Daniel!
We are in the garden spot of Columbus, MS tonight. Mobile on Sat and Panama City on Sunday. then depending on the Gulf, conditions, home soon thereafter...
 
...been doing other things while this RT is around...

taking the boat out in hope to stay out on the hook tonight... Sarasota Bay

will report
 

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