Red tide toxic algae bloom threatens Sarasota and Manatee wildlife - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

The familiar stench of dead fish is back in the air in parts of Sarasota County as a red-tide bloom that has plagued Southwest Florida since Hurricane Ian continues to worsen, and fish and other sea life are beginning to wash ashore.

The massive red tide bloom first took hold off the shores of Sarasota County in the weeks following Hurricane Ian in the same communities also most impacted by the Category 4 storm.

Dead fish have dotted the scattered shorelines of waterfront parks, beaches and boat ramps throughout the region.

Southwest Florida beach water quality map: See test results for your favorite beach

Florida red tide map: Current status

Background: Red tide reaches Manatee County; all Sarasota County beaches under advisory

On Thursday, winds had blown recently deceased fish to Ken Thompson Park and beaches like Lido. City of Sarasota officials said they are monitoring the site, along with many other areas throughout the city, for potential cleanup operations — although the amount of dead fish has not yet met the required threshold to do so.

"There's a snowstorm at home, so I am enjoying the beach anyway," said Jayme Bradshaw, 54, a Michigan resident visiting family for the holidays. "I've just been here a few days. I'm enjoying the beach for sure, staying away from the dead fish, and rinsing off in the shower. "

This week, bloom levels of red tide were found in samples from south Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties, according to a mid-week update by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued on Wednesday.

The state agency also reported low concentrations of red tide in Pinellas and Charlotte counties over the past week, but those concentrations remain below bloom level.

According to reports by the Mote Marine Laboratory, dead fish and murky brown water were spotted on Longboat Key and Sarasota County beaches, including Lido and Siesta Key. 

Detailed and up-to-date beach reports by Mote Marine ambassadors can be found at visitbeaches.org.

Manatee County spokesman Bill Logan said staff removed about a dozen small fish from the Coquina Beach boat ramp and the Longboat Pass shore on Wednesday morning, but reported no signs of dead fish in the water. 

He said county lifeguards have identified "an odor" but that there have been no complaints of respiratory irritation often caused by red tide. He said staff rakes beaches daily and has staged cleanup equipment in preparation should conditions in Manatee worsen.