Looks like K. Brevis is all set to hit VB. I'm hoping for one more weekend before it gets there...
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060808/NEWS/608080373/1264/NEWS0103
Experts say red tide is moving toward Venice
By KATE SPINNER and GINNY LAROE
STAFF WRITERS
kate.spinner@heraldtribune.com
virginia.laroe@heraldtribune.com
VENICE -- The center of the red tide bloom that made beaches on Manasota Key nearly unbearable to sunbathers last week is migrating north, with reports of fish kills Monday near Venice and Nokomis beaches.
"What were looking at probably is, it's pretty bad from Venice south," said Richard Pierce, director of the Mote Marine Laboratory's Center for Ecotoxicology.
Pierce said low levels of red tide were found Sunday in New Pass, just outside the center's Sarasota headquarters.
Winds this week are blowing from the east, pushing the airborne toxins red tide produces out to sea. When those winds shift toward shore, that's when people complain of scratchy throats and coughing fits.
But while the bloom lingers, the weather forecast for the week should keep the toxin from causing too much inconvenience.
Winds are forecast to blow offshore most of the week, which should keep beachgoers happy during the day.
Evening sea breezes could direct the toxins toward land, however.
People who have asthma should stay away from the beach when red tide is present, health officials say.
Sarasota and Charlotte counties posted an advisory on area beaches last week to warn people of the harmful algae's presence.
Charles Henry, environmental administrator with the Sarasota County Health Department, said his staff took samples off the county's shoreline Monday. The sample results will be posted Wednesday at www.ourgulfenvironment.net.
Pierce said he was not surprised to find low concentrations of red tide in New Pass near Mote Marine. The lab tests the nearby waters daily.
"We know the red tide has been quite severe in Lee County and Charlotte County for the past several weeks and it's been moving very slowly northward," he said.
Pierce said the bloom is moving north because the wind-driven currents in the Gulf of Mexico are also moving north.
While the center of the bloom heads north, it is probably also spreading, Pierce said.
"We really don't have a good picture of how far out it goes because satellite imagery has been obscured by clouds," he said.
Anecdotal reports from Venice Beach over the weekend and samples taken by scientists on Friday also indicate the bloom is moving up the coast, Pierce said.
Reports from Nokomis Beach on Monday show the bloom is continuing to creep north.
When Gina Ballard arrived for work at the North Jetty Fish Camp on Nokomis Beach on Monday, she noticed dead fish floating past the beachfront convenience store.
But the first signs of a fish-killing red tide in that area this year didn't faze her.
"It's nothing compared to last year and the year before," she said while serving customers who seemed seemed not to notice.
Rob Richardson, who was on vacation with his family from Michigan, said he didn't think twice when he saw a dead minnow wash ashore on Nokomis Beach on Monday afternoon. He and his family spent the afternoon on the beach without feeling any noticeable effects of red tide -- something he had never heard of.
Nokomis Beach lifeguard J.P. Marchand said he didn't notice any traces of red tide when he went for a swim Monday morning.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060808/NEWS/608080373/1264/NEWS0103
Experts say red tide is moving toward Venice
By KATE SPINNER and GINNY LAROE
STAFF WRITERS
kate.spinner@heraldtribune.com
virginia.laroe@heraldtribune.com
VENICE -- The center of the red tide bloom that made beaches on Manasota Key nearly unbearable to sunbathers last week is migrating north, with reports of fish kills Monday near Venice and Nokomis beaches.
"What were looking at probably is, it's pretty bad from Venice south," said Richard Pierce, director of the Mote Marine Laboratory's Center for Ecotoxicology.
Pierce said low levels of red tide were found Sunday in New Pass, just outside the center's Sarasota headquarters.
Winds this week are blowing from the east, pushing the airborne toxins red tide produces out to sea. When those winds shift toward shore, that's when people complain of scratchy throats and coughing fits.
But while the bloom lingers, the weather forecast for the week should keep the toxin from causing too much inconvenience.
Winds are forecast to blow offshore most of the week, which should keep beachgoers happy during the day.
Evening sea breezes could direct the toxins toward land, however.
People who have asthma should stay away from the beach when red tide is present, health officials say.
Sarasota and Charlotte counties posted an advisory on area beaches last week to warn people of the harmful algae's presence.
Charles Henry, environmental administrator with the Sarasota County Health Department, said his staff took samples off the county's shoreline Monday. The sample results will be posted Wednesday at www.ourgulfenvironment.net.
Pierce said he was not surprised to find low concentrations of red tide in New Pass near Mote Marine. The lab tests the nearby waters daily.
"We know the red tide has been quite severe in Lee County and Charlotte County for the past several weeks and it's been moving very slowly northward," he said.
Pierce said the bloom is moving north because the wind-driven currents in the Gulf of Mexico are also moving north.
While the center of the bloom heads north, it is probably also spreading, Pierce said.
"We really don't have a good picture of how far out it goes because satellite imagery has been obscured by clouds," he said.
Anecdotal reports from Venice Beach over the weekend and samples taken by scientists on Friday also indicate the bloom is moving up the coast, Pierce said.
Reports from Nokomis Beach on Monday show the bloom is continuing to creep north.
When Gina Ballard arrived for work at the North Jetty Fish Camp on Nokomis Beach on Monday, she noticed dead fish floating past the beachfront convenience store.
But the first signs of a fish-killing red tide in that area this year didn't faze her.
"It's nothing compared to last year and the year before," she said while serving customers who seemed seemed not to notice.
Rob Richardson, who was on vacation with his family from Michigan, said he didn't think twice when he saw a dead minnow wash ashore on Nokomis Beach on Monday afternoon. He and his family spent the afternoon on the beach without feeling any noticeable effects of red tide -- something he had never heard of.
Nokomis Beach lifeguard J.P. Marchand said he didn't notice any traces of red tide when he went for a swim Monday morning.
I'm aware of what the K.brevis feeds on. Naturally it should occur every 2-3 years, I rarely remember it blooming more than that as I grew up on the water here in Ft Myers. What I do see is that every year for the last 5-6 years we've had an outbreak that lasts several months and covers a huge area vs. a roaming cloud that eventually disappates after a few weeks and is done. Ironically thats the same amount of time as the large housing boom in SWFL, and with this housing boom has been a huge influx of golf courses and yards which are replacing the natural habitat.
