Florida Tourist Wearing Dress Socks and Sandals Florida
Visitors to Florida's beaches might be surprised to witness or to hear about the "red tide." Some people wonder if, perhaps, humans are behind this problem, and what can be done to solve it. Still others are worried about the harmful effects of red tide on humans. Below, we explore this problem and how to protect yourself.
The red tide is the reddening of water in the sea which is caused by harmful algae. The species responsible for red tide is known as "Karenia brevis." Karenia brevis occurs commonly in the Gulf of Mexico, and thrives in warm conditions between 72 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The algae secretes harmful neurotoxins which can be deadly for marine species.
The Costs of Red Tide
The prevalence of red tide imposes enormous costs on sea life around the US coastline each year. For example, CNN reported that in 2018, red tide had decimated animal life and produced 2,000 tons of dead fish in Florida alone. Due to its toxic nature, the red tide dinoflagellate microorganism upsets the natural balance of the sea.
Red tide is not only a problem for sea life, but the costs are borne by human societies as well. Fisherman that depend on the sea for their livelihoods are particularly affected. For example, crab supplies and other seafood catches are constricted when red tide occurs. Businesses on the coast that rely on tourist arrivals are also among those that suffer when red tide discourages beach visits.
The state of Florida, with its large coastline, is among those most affected by red tide in the United States. Five counties around the state have suffered huge losses from red tide in recent times. These include Lee County, Manatee County, and Sarasota County.
Other states affected by red tide include Texas, Maine, and Massachusetts. On the West Coast, the California shoreline has also been affected by incidents of red tide in the past. In these states, some of the species affected include dolphins, manatees, and shellfish.
Is Red Tide Harmful for Humans
The poisonous toxins that kill sea life in red tide are also harmful for humans. In the past, human deaths have been recorded from eating seafood that was infected with the red tide toxin. This makes any incidence of red tide particularly dangerous since infected fish can be hard to identify at the marketplace. When it comes to seafood consumption, it's best to avoid it altogether if there is an occurrence of red tide in the area where one lives.
Water infected with red tide is less dangerous if it is not ingested. However, one should avoid eye contact with it, and it may cause rashes, skin itchiness, and other skin infections.
Checking Current Red Tide Status
To find out if there is red tide you should be careful of around where you live, you can check with your state's NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) department. Many states run their own monitoring services in order to warn residents of potentially harmful water conditions. For example, in Florida, residents can check Florida's red tide status from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
While red tide is particularly problematic for coastline states, red tide also affects freshwater lakes and other water bodies far from the sea. This makes it necessary to stay vigilant and informed in case of any outbreak in your area.
What to Do If There Is Red Tide at the Beach
Red tide incidence can range from mild to severe, and you should take precautions if there is red tide at the beach. At low intensity levels, swimming in water with red tide is safe but not recommended. In particular, if you have respiratory illnesses, allergies, sensitive skin, or other health problems, even mild red tide could worsen your condition.
You should, therefore, monitor the status of red tide in coastal areas such as the Florida Panhandle, where red tide is known to occur. Under no occasion should you swim in the water if the red tide is severe. If fish have died and are washed up on the shore, avoid getting in the water because the dead fish can spread deadly bacteria in the water. In such cases, it's best to avoid the beach entirely until the red tide dissipates and the beach is cleaned up.
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Source: https://www.life123.com/article/is-florida%27s-red-tide-dangerous-for-tourists?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740009%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex&ueid=5bf4e0b0-a089-47c6-9116-57f1ba0c110e
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