Red tide intensifies: Local beaches to have high respiratory irritation this weekend

Jesse Mendoza, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
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Samples published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission show red tide has intensified to high levels across much of southwest Florida this week.
Samples published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission show red tide has intensified to high levels across much of southwest Florida this week.

Sarasota and Manatee County beachgoers could find themselves coughing and sneezing this weekend from respiratory irritation caused by an intense red tide bloom.

The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science issued an advisory at 9 a.m. Friday warning that Sarasota and Manatee are among a handful of Southwest Florida counties with moderate or high risk of respiratory irritation over the next 36 hours. Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Pinellas and Monroe counties are also under advisory.

The red tide bloom first took hold in Southwest Florida in late October and has lingered at various intensities. Conditions showed signs of improvement earlier this month, but samples published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission this week show that red tide has worsened significantly.

Florida red tide map:Current status

S.W. beach water quality map: See test results for your favorite beach

Respiratory irritation:Check the beach forecast

The highest levels of red tide were measured from as far north as Nokomis Beach in Sarasota County down to the Naples Pier in Collier, according to the FWC. The bloom spans an even larger area, with medium levels of red tide measured from as far north as Treasure Island Beach in Pinellas County to Marco Island in Collier.

Respiratory irritation can already be experienced at Sarasota and Manatee county beaches, but high winds are expected to help blow irritants toward shore. The most intense forecasts start Friday afternoon and last until late Friday evening or early Saturday morning, according to the NCCOS.

Southern Sarasota County beaches such as Nokomis Beach, Brohard Beach, Caspersen Beach and Englewood Beach are at high risk of respiratory irritation starting Friday afternoon and lasting until the late evening hours. Venice Beach and Manasota Beach are forecast for moderate risk.

North Sarasota County beaches like Lido Beach, South Lido Park and Siesta Beach are forecast for moderate risk of respiratory irritation.

Anna Maria Island beaches are also forecast for moderate risk of respiratory irritation from early Friday afternoon until the early hours of Saturday morning.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Red tide advisory issued for Sarasota and Manatee counties