It's a startling sight for beachgoers in northern Pinellas County, as dead fish wash up on shore.

"You know, you come to the beach to lay in the sun and the smell is the biggest deal," Jeff Rooker said as he was leaving Honeymoon Island. 

"As soon as we got out of the car, you could smell the foul smell of fish in the air," said Blake Manzo, another beachgoer.

The fish were most likely killed by a red tide bloom that was discovered back in June after someone called the FWC to report a fish kill out in the Gulf of Mexico.

If close to enough beaches, scientists say the neurotoxins can get picked up in sea spray and cause respiratory problems for those along the shore.

"Coughing, sneezing, tickle throat and watery eyes," said Alina Corcoran, with FWC.

As for the fish, researchers said they aren't necessarily a sign of things to come. For starters, this red tide bloom is 10-20 miles off shore, meaning the fish most likely died long before they washed up on the beach.

Corcoran said the FWC has been collecting hundreds and hundreds of water samples and right now, it seems the red tide's concentration has gone down. Corcoran also said it's mixing with another, non-toxic algae that needs the same nutrients.

"It's a game of competition," Corcoran said. "Between these non-toxic algae and the red tide."

Right now, Corcoran said the non-toxic algae is showing signs of being the more dominant of the two. She said FWC will continue to take samples and monitor the red tide's movements.

One way you can help is contact their fish kill hotline if you notice any unusual amounts of dying or dead fish in the water. That number is 800-636-0511.