ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. — Another big donation has been made in the fight against red tide.
- Save Our Shores raises money for red tide research
- Mote Marine Laboratory developing, field testing technology
- Florida provides $2.2 million to attack red tide
The Save our Shores group made a donation today of $25,081.90 Tuesday on Anna Maria Island.
The funds were raised by local restaurants to help fight the harmful algae that has wreaked havoc along the West Florida coastline this summer, killing marine life, causing a stench on beaches and inlets and driving off tourists.
The restaurant employees put together a Save our Shores Long Table dinner on the island where 169 attendees enjoyed a beachfront meal.
The owner of Anna Maria Oysters Bars says he's glad the state is making that investment because red tide effects so many people in Florida.
"It’s natural, it’ll happen, it’ll happen again," said John Horne, Anna Maria Oyster Bars owner. "So we just want to say we’re all in it together, we’ll help."
This donation comes on the heels of a $2.2 million donation from the state to test technology than can be used to fight the algae blooms.
Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota plan to start new tests within the next six weeks. They will continually monitor and research red tide throughout the year.