SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — While Manatee County remains clear of red tide, beaches in parts of neighboring Sarasota County are looking very different.
- Some reports of respiratory irritation from Manasota Key Beach visitors
- Beaches north of Siesta Key still clear
- More Manatee County stories
The latest report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows medium concentrations of Karenia brevis, the organism that causes red tide, in the waters off parts of southern Sarasota County.
On Friday, dead fish were spotted by the dozens on Manasota Key Beach. Those visiting the beach reported respiratory irritation and watery eyes.
Farther north, beachgoers near Venice and Nokomis reported some respiratory irritation, but no dead fish have washed up on the beach.
The beaches north of Siesta Key remained clear.
According to Dr. Vincent Lovko with Mote Marine Laboratory, models show that the wind will likely push the red tide bloom away from the shore over the next few days.
“Currently that model is showing it actually moving south and offshore a little bit,” he said.
Lovko stated it is possible that the bloom could move farther north in the coming months.
“If the winds shift back to blowing back towards the shore and back north, then we’ll probably see the bloom stretch along the Florida coast a little bit more,” he explained.
Experts recommend staying out of the water if a red tide bloom is present.