Florida's Gulf Coast is battling the worst red tide in more than 10 years, pushing Gov. Rick Scott to declare a state of emergency this week.
But all over the world, red tides that grow out of control, kill fish, and take all of the oxygen from coastal waters are lasting longer and longer. Scientists say Florida's latest red tide actually began in November is now covering more than miles from Anna Maria Island to Naples Florida. The red tide originated in the Gulf of Mexico between 10 and 40 miles offshore and was then transported by wind and currents.
Since then, it's been killing off marine life and posing a toxic threat to humans as well. Here's what you need to know. Red tide is a natural phenomenon that has been reported since the mids, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Algae blooms can be beneficial or harmful, and red tides are in the harmful category. Microscopic algae, a plant-like organism, is vitally important to our marine ecosystem, except when it grows in higher-than-normal concentrations and becomes an algae bloom. Offshore winds usually keep respiratory effects experienced by those on the shore to a minimum.
The Florida Department of Health advises people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions, such as emphysema or asthma, to avoid red tide areas. People with underlying chronic respiratory problems like asthma or COPD should avoid red tide areas, especially when winds are blowing toxins on or near shore, according to the Florida Department of Health. Mote Marine Laboratory studies have shown that airborne red tide toxins can travel up to a mile inland, depending on the wind direction and other weather patterns.
That means, even if you are a few blocks away from the beach, the toxins could still be affecting you. Click here for current beach impacts, or go to visitbeaches. Swimming is safe for most people.
However, the Florida red tide can cause some people to suffer skin irritation and burning eyes. People with respiratory illness may also experience respiratory irritation in the water.
Use common sense. If you are particularly susceptible to irritation from plant products, avoid an area with a red tide bloom. If you experience irritation, get out of the water and thoroughly wash off. Do not swim among dead fish because they can be associated with harmful bacteria. Check the marine forecast, fewer red tide toxins will be in the air with offshore winds.
Check Mote's Beach Conditions Reporting for conditions at the beach you plan to visit. If you are asthmatic or have chronic lung disease, be vigilant about taking your prescribed medicines daily. Store-bought and restaurant-served shellfish are safe to eat during a bloom because the shellfish industry is closely monitored by state agencies for shellfish safety.
Commercially available shellfish are often not locally harvested and, if harvested locally, are tested for red tide toxins before they are sold. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services closes shellfish harvest areas affected by Florida red tide.
Recreational harvesting of bivalve molluscs such as hard clams, oysters and mussels from conditionally approved or approved shellfish harvesting areas is banned during red tide closures; these organisms should not be harvested and eaten from any closed shellfish harvesting area to protect the public from neurotoxic shellfish poisoning caused by eating red tide-contaminated seafood.
To determine whether or not harvesting of shellfish is permitted in an area, visit the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture website. Edible parts of other animals commonly referred to as shellfish crabs, shrimp and lobsters are not affected by the red tide organism and can be eaten. Do not eat the tomalley green stuff, hepatopancreas. During scallop season, locally harvested scallops from open scallop harvesting areas are also safe to eat as long as you eat only the muscle of the scallop and not the whole animal.
In addition, illegally harvested and unregulated shellfish are particularly dangerous and should never be consumed. For example, coquina clams and molluscan predators, such as whelks that feed on toxic bivalves, readily accumulate toxins in their tissues. An illegal harvest is a dangerous harvest.
Yes, it is safe to eat local finfish as long as the fish are filleted before being eaten. Although toxins may accumulate in the guts of fish, these areas are disposed of when the fish are filleted. However, it is never a good idea to eat dead or distressed animals, especially in a red tide area, because the reason for the animal's strange behavior or death cannot be absolutely known. No, cooking or freezing does not destroy the Florida red tide toxins.
Furthermore, the toxin cannot be seen or tasted. Just like people, pets may be affected by the Florida red tide. If you live close to the beach, consider bringing outdoor pets inside during a bloom to prevent respiratory irritation. If you are at the beach with your pets, do not allow them to play with dead fish or foam that may accumulate on the beach during or after a red tide. If your pet eats dead fish, it may get sick.
If your pet swims in the red tide, wash it as soon as possible. Most dogs lick themselves after swimming and will consume any toxins on their fur. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc. Currently there is no tried-and-true way to completely remove the Florida red tide algae and its impacts without potentially harming Gulf ecosystems.
Mote scientists are studying control and mitigation methods that may benefit limited-tidal-exchange waterways, such as dead-end canals and small embayments in red tide-affected coastal communities. These toxins can be transferred down the food chain, affecting people who accidentally ingest them. The consumption of shellfish , such as mussels or clams, is one of the most common ways for humans to be affected by red tide.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning PSP is a syndrome that people can develop if they eat seafood contaminated by a red tide. PSP can be life threatening and often shows itself within 2 hours of consumption. Symptoms include:. In non-lethal cases, these conditions may appear over the course of a few days. In severe instances, individuals may experience respiratory arrest within 24 hours of consumption.
Reactions to red tide may be worse in individuals with asthma , emphysema , or any other chronic lung disease. The toxins associated with red tide may also cause skin irritation, rashes, and burning or sore eyes. Severe cases may be treated with the use of life support systems, such as a mechanical respirator and oxygen until the toxin fully passes through your system. Store-bought and restaurant-served shellfish are typically safe to consume during a red ride because the shellfish industry is closely monitored by state agencies for shellfish safety.
Commercially available shellfish are often not locally harvested and, if harvested locally, are tested for toxins prior to being sold to the public. Most people can swim during red tide without serious risks, but it may cause symptoms such as skin irritation and a burning sensation in the eyes. Edible parts of other animals commonly referred to as shellfish crabs, shrimp and lobsters are not affected by the red tide organism and can be eaten.
Do not eat the tomalley green stuff, hepatopancreas. During scallop season, locally harvested scallops from open scallop harvesting areas are also safe to eat as long as you eat only the muscle of the scallop and not the whole animal.
In addition, illegally harvested and unregulated shellfish are particularly dangerous and should never be consumed. For example, coquina clams and molluscan predators, such as whelks that feed on toxic bivalves, readily accumulate toxins in their tissues.
An illegal harvest is a dangerous harvest. Yes, it is safe to eat local finfish as long as the fish are filleted before eaten. Although toxins may accumulate in the guts of fish, these areas are disposed of when the fish are filleted. However, it is never a good idea to eat dead or distressed animals, especially in a red tide area, because the reason for the animal's strange behavior or death cannot be absolutely known. No, cooking or freezing does not destroy the red tide toxin.
Furthermore, the toxin cannot be seen or tasted. Just like people, pets may be affected by the red tide. If you live close to the beach, consider bringing outdoor pets inside during a bloom to prevent respiratory irritation. If you are at the beach with your pets, do not allow them to play with dead fish or foam that may accumulate on the beach during or after a red tide. If your pet eats dead fish, it may get sick. If your pet swims in the red tide, wash it as soon as possible.
Most dogs lick themselves after swimming and will consume any toxins on their fur. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Florida Department of Health. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
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