The beaches on St. George Island are showing all of the signs of red tide, including fish kills and respiratory irritation.
There have also been reports of red tide at Alligator Point.
Red Tide is an organism known a Karenia Brevis that in large enough concentrations releases a neurotoxin that can kill fish and even affect people.
Red tide generally causes skin irritation and irritation in the lungs and throats in humans.
People began reporting the fish kills on social media late last week, and there have been numerous complaints of nose and throat irritation by people walking along the beaches.
Sarah Quaranta from the Franklin and Gulf County Health Departments said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has seen red tide blooms through satellite, but do not yet have information on the concentrations of red tide off the coast.
FWC did take water samples on Monday and results from those tests should be released today.
If the samples show high concentrations of red tide then the Health department will issue an health alert.
Once the alert is issued they will also put up signs at beach access points alerting people to red tide as well as send out information through the AlertFranklin system.
Even without an advisory, though people should take precautions, especially when walking along the beach.
People with breathing conditions or asthma should stay off the beach, and everyone should stay away from dead fish that are washing on the shore.
Also don't harvest or eat shellfish or any distressed fish.
No comments:
Post a Comment