The persistent red tide that has been hovering offshore down around Charlotte and Lee Counties since Hurricane Helene struck last fall has worked its way up to the Suncoast. Many popular local beach destinations including Siesta Key, Lido Key, Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island have been impacted by windblown toxins creating uncomfortable respiratory issues and clumps of dead, rotting fish.
The location of red tide can vary from day to day as the bloom is affected by prevailing winds and currents so before you head to the beach, be sure to check the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission’s red tide report at https://myfwc.com>research>red tide> statewide.
The current report is available at the end of this E-Newsletter.