Missing from this article are the causes of red tide, historically present but now known to be exacerbated by human presence and pollutants. Although pollution costs Florida astronomical sums each year, our state chooses to throw billions at the symptoms but refrains from attacking big AG and other polluting industries.
Some of the money goes to funding wastewater facilities so septics can be reduced, but this is a way-too-slow solution.
Read the original article here in Florida Today.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
Jim WaymerWhile only at background levels now, the toxic algae’s presence in the sea cow’s most important habitat in Florida portends a tough summer ahead for the threatened species.
The closed, almost stagnant nature of the 156-mile-long lagoon — which has few inlets to let ocean water flush out algae — heightens the risk to manatees and other marine life, should red tide reach bloom levels this summer.
Brevard County 2018 fish kill: Red tide kills more species of fish
In case you missed it:Sebastian Inlet sprouts hope for Florida manatees and other Indian River Lagoon life
If the algae thickens to concentrations high enough to emit lethal levels of toxins, it could be fatal for the manatees when they broach the water surface to breath, inhaling the poisons.
It could also claim the lives of countless fish and other marine life, and can can cause respiratory and neurological symptoms in humans, when the toxins aerosolize in sea spray.
On Wednesday, June 15, the red tide algae, called Karenia brevis, was observed at background levels in a sample drawn from the Indian River Lagoon at NASA Causeway, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission data released late Friday.
FWC’s testing did not show any red tide off of Brevard’s beaches.
FWC also found background and very low concentrations offshore of Collier County in Southwest Florida over the past week.
“Background” means the level was less than 1,000 cells per liter, which isn’t expected to cause any ill effects. But when levels exceed 1,000 cells per liter, people can experience respiratory irritation and shellfish harvesting can close.
When levels reach more than 100,000 cells per liter, considered a “medium” concentration, fish will die and satellites will pick up the increase in chlorophyll at the water’s surface. At more than 1 million cells, considered “high,” the water turns red and the death toll gets worse.
Through June 10 this year, 588 manatees have died, compared with 799 through June 10 last year and a five-year average of 419 for that time frame. FWC suspects most of last year’s manatee deaths were from starvation. This year, 330 manatees have died in Brevard, 56% of the the total.
In October 2018, red tide rose to “high” levels in Brevard, Indian River, and St. Lucie counties, according FWC sampling, triggering beachside fish kills. The toxic algae caused carcasses of mullet, mackerel, menhaden and ladyfish to washup ashore.
There have been no reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide over the past week.
The next status report will be issued on Friday, June 24.
For details about Florida red tide, visit: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/
For recent and current information at individual beaches, visit https://visitbeaches.org/ and for forecasts that use FWC and partner data, visit https://habforecast.gcoos.org/
Submit a Fish Kill Report
Submit a report of a fish kill online, or call the Fish Kill Hotline: 800-636-0511.
How to report a fish kill
https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/report-kill/
Jim Waymer is an environment reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Waymer at 321-261-5903 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com. Or find him on Twitter: @JWayEnviro or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jim.waymer
at 321-261-5903 or jwaymer@floridatoday.com. Or find him on Twitter: @JWayEnviro or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jim.waymer
