Residents in Manatee and Pinellas counties residents are seeing some blue-green algae, but it's not the same as the type found in Lake Okeechobee, the EPA confirms.

Some people may have noticed a thick, dark, gumbo-looking algae, and although the Environmental Protection Agency says it's not toxic, it can still cause health problems, so it's something you and your pets should avoid.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection was out at Tierra Verde in Pinellas County on Thursday and determined that the algae is a type of cyanobacteria called lyngbya-like filamentous cyanobacteria.

It is technically a type of blue-green algae, but it is not what caused problems over in Lake Okeechobee.

Scientists say if it stays out in the water and away from the shore, it is not too big of a deal.

However, when it starts washing up on beaches or gets stuck in between docks like it has been in parts of Manatee County, that is when it can start to smell rancid.

That is because when the algae starts to decay, it produces hydrogen sulfide and it smells like rotten eggs.

"And sometimes people can have health problems when the algae deposits in the beaches, it can decompose and attract insects and those are all kind of nuisances," said Mengqiu Wang, a researcher.

Scientists do not know what causes this for sure, but say things like sewage and runoff definitely make it worse.

Experts say you do not want to swim near it because it can give a rash, pets should not touch it or drink from the affected water.