What Is Red Tide?

The catastrophic loss of marine life, especially in Florida, is alarming.  It is caused by a harmful algae bloom, caused by a naturally occurring alga called Karenia brevis or K. brevis.  When this algae appears in large quantities, typically in the Gulf of Mexico, it can turn ocean water red, brown or green.  It also contains harmful toxins that can impact the nervous systems of fish, birds and mammals.

Red tide is a naturally occurring condition, but a combination of wind, currents and the presence of nutrients in the water can allow the algae to grow, some years more severely than others.  This has literally been a killer year, wiping out manatees, sea turtles and stone crabs in large quantities.

At least 400 stranded and dead sea turtles have been found since the bloom conditions began in November, as well as a manatee and a 26 foot whale shark. Most people can safely swim in red tide, but it can cause skin irritation and burning eyes.  Inhaling red tide toxins can lead to coughing, sneezing and teary eyes.  Although the medical effects of the red tide are not severe, red tide is affecting the economy in Florida.

How long the red tide will remain is hard to predict.  It could persist through 2019.  It all depends on the wind conditions and water currents.  Red tides are not a new phenomena, being first report in Florida in 1844.  Research has not found a definitive link between the severity of red tides and climate change.  We just don't know right now.