Red Tide in Florida Causing Fish Kills and Respiratory Issues for Humans
Florida' s ' Red Tide' Can Be a Health Risk
A stinky stew of overgrown algae is killing fish and alarming tourists
Michele and Tom Grimm/Alamy The waters along the west coast of Florida are steeped in a smelly, toxic stew known as “red tide” that can cause , especially among older people, and kills fish by the thousands. This week Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for seven tourism-dependent counties along about 150 miles of Gulf of Mexico coastline, from just south of Naples to around Sarasota — a stretch of seaside that’s home to some of the most popular and beautiful beaches in the country, including Siesta Key and Sanibel Island. Red tide, which has occurred periodically here since at least the 1840s, is caused by the overgrowth of microscopic algae known as Karenia brevis, which can sometimes turn waters reddish or brown. It's deadly to sealife — the horrible odors are the result of decaying fish that wash up onshore — including large sea creatures, such as manatees and sea turtles. AARP Health Tool: But red tide is also harmful to humans. Algae release toxins into the air that settle in the throat and lungs, a serious concern for those with already compromised respiratory systems from conditions such as emphysema and , says Don Anderson, senior scientist in the biology department at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts and an expert on algal blooms. “But it’s typically not a life-threatening situation,” he says. “It’s more bothersome … than insidiously dangerous.” Usually, the airborne toxins cause just an itchy throat or cough — what’s known as a “red tide tickle.” “I get kind of a scratchy throat,” says John Lucas, 68, a retiree in Bradenton who headed out to Lido Key Beach about a week ago, when red tide had just moved heavily into the area near Sarasota. He found it deserted, with dead fish littering the sand. Lucas didn’t hang around very long. “If you stayed there for a few hours,” he says, “you’d feel terrible.” Scientists aren’t sure what causes red tide, though some have speculated that it’s related to agricultural pollution that drains into the Gulf. There’s also no approved way to kill the algae: Floridians just have to wait for it to dissipate — which it often does quickly. “One of the mysteries is why this one is going on so long,” Anderson says. This recent bloom began causing alarm last year and is lingering longer than others in recent years. But there’s good news for snowbirds and vacationers who plan to head south during Florida’s peak tourism months, says Stephen Leatherman (known to some as Dr. Beach), director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University. “The warm waters help the algae bloom, so the red tide usually ends by fall when the weather cools. It’s very unlikely to be there in the high season.” To see if your destination is clear of red tide, Sarasota’s Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium keeps an updated statewide online that indicates the affected areas. Also of Interest
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures
Close In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails related to AARP volunteering. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly receive communications related to AARP volunteering. In the meantime, please feel free to search for ways to make a difference in your community at Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again.