HOLMES BEACH, Fla. -- The red tide outbreak plauging southwest Florida is creeping northward. 

  • Beach cleanup Tuesday on Holmes Beach
  • Dead fish are washing up on some Manatee County beaches
  • Tide is expected to move north
  • Red tide has killed thousands of sea life in south Florida

Dozens of dead fish are now being reported in Manatee County. 

On Sunday, beachgoers at Coquina Beach say they saw dozens of dead fish on the shore and floating in the water. By Monday, dead sea life was spotted off Anna Maria Island. 

Today, volunteers are out on Holmes Beach for the first beach cleanup since the red tide moved in. 

The outbreak has already killed thousands of sea animals in southwest Florida and beachgoers have been feeling the effects also as red tide can cause serious respiratory problems. 

Mote Marine Laboratory tracks beach conditions daily.

  • Dumpsters will be placed at the following beach accesses for the disposal of red tide waste: 30th Street, 33rd Street, 36th Street, 46th Street, 67th Street and 71st Street. 

Lab officials say its possible the bloom will spread to Pinellas County but it is difficult to predict without any certainty. 

"It's very patchy," said Staff Scientist Tracy Fanara with Mote. "So it can move and spread simultaneously without actually increasing in concentration."

The City of Holmes Beach has been working with Manatee County Public Works and Waste Pro, to ensure that the beaches are cleaned and the red tide waste is disposed of properly and efficiently. 

There are plans in place to continually monitor the effects of the red tide and we will clean the affected areas as needed.

Dumpsters will be for the red tide waste only and will be emptied on a regular basis to keep the smell to a minimum.

Please do not place any red tide waste in any of the garbage cans that are not designated for the red tide waste as they will not be emptied as quickly.

Anyone who would like to volunteer to clean the beaches along Holmes Beach can contact Holmes Beach Code Enforcement at 941-708-5804 ext. 329 or 330. 

There will be masks, gloves and a trash grabber given out to anyone who would like to help.