SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — Florida’s Department of Health has lifted the red tide health advisory at all 16 beaches in Sarasota County.
That health advisory has been in place since December 28.
What You Need To Know
- Red tide health advisory at all 16 beaches in Sarasota County
- Latest Bay News 9 red tide headlines
- RED TIDE: Check the latest stories, see a map of affected areas
- PREVIOUS STORY: FWC watching red tide detected in Pinellas and Manatee
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will release their next red tide status report Friday afternoon at www.ourgulfenvironment.net.
The beach advisory signs have been changed at all beaches.
Blooms of red tide have affecting beaches across the Bay area in recent months, just as thousands of visitors have been coming to the region to enjoy spring break.
According to NOAA, red tide is caused by microscopic algae that produce toxins that kill fish and make shellfish dangerous to eat. The toxins may also make the surrounding air difficult to breathe. As the name suggests, the bloom of algae often turns the water red.
Red tide is affected by wind direction and currents and is patchy. What one area experiences for effects can change day-to-day.