Red Tide has returned to Southwest Florida. The question now is this: will it fade quickly in the weeks ahead or will it last and last. Let’s hope for all the folks living along the Southwest Florida coast it’s the former.
Red Tide is the toxic algae Karenia brevis. It causes scratchy throats and itchy eyes for beach goers and boaters. And it can discolor the water as well. More concerning it kills marine sometimes in huge numbers, and even birds that feed on marine life.
Presently there are fish kills reported in Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. In the picture above, taken recently, you see rafts of dead catfish drifting with the tide. Not a pleasant sight.