RED TIDE, FISH - USA (03): (FLORIDA)
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Date: Tue 29 Nov 2011
Source: Naples News [edited]
<http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2011/nov/29/worst-red-tide-bloom-since-2006-off-collier/>
Collier County officials on Tuesday [29 Nov 2011] said they received samples that indicated medium to high levels of red tide 10 to 20 miles [16-32 km] offshore last week [week of 21 Nov 2011].
Rhonda Watkins, a principle environmental specialist with the Collier County Pollution Control and Prevention Department, said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission tests showed there were high levels of red tide about 18 miles west of Naples Park and about 20 miles west of Keewaydin Island.
Researchers also found medium levels of red tide about 10 miles west of Venetian Bay, about 15 miles west of the Naples Pier, and about 20 miles west of Doctor's Pass.
The samples were collected on 23 Nov 2011.
"A bloom happens every year and the extent of the negative effects depends on where they hit shore," said Alina Corcoran, a research scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
"I wouldn't necessarily call it the worst red tide bloom or anything ... but it is a pretty significant event. It extends across 2 counties in Southwest Florida."
It may not be the worst red tide the county has experienced, but Watkins said it is the 1st significant bloom that's impacted Collier County since June 2006.
The bloom may be offshore, but Watkins said beachgoers are starting to feel the effect on shore. Watkins said there have been reports of "a few dead fish scattered from Barefoot Beach to Lowdermilk Park" and on Tigertail Beach on Marco Island, as well as respiratory irritation from Barefoot Beach to Park Shore in Naples.
Watkins said signs are typically a tickle in the back of the throat, watery eyes, and a runny nose. People with respiratory illnesses like asthma and emphysema should avoid going to the beach because the illness can be aggravated.
Katie Laakkonen, an environmental specialist for the city of Naples, said she felt respiratory irritation as far south as the Naples Pier when she was out on the beach Tuesday [29 Nov 2011]. "I heard quite a few people coughing," she said.
The results of samples taken on Collier County beaches on 28 Nov 2011 were not immediately available Tuesday.
To report dead fish or red tide symptoms call the Collier County Pollution Control and Prevention Department at 252-2502. Red tide updates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the county's red tide hotline at 252-2591.
[Byline: Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster]
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[Red tide is caused by several toxic algae. Depending upon the toxin, it is also known as paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), because it causes shellfish to be toxic for consumption.
_Alexandrium_ spp is one of many members of this genus. Some members may not be toxic. However, generally, the genus is found in coastal waters high in nitrogen content. These organisms produce a neurotoxin, like many of the organisms capable of causing paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). The neurotoxin is considered fatal for humans consuming contaminated shellfish and may be dangerous to humans and animals who swim in waters that are 'blooming' with the organisms.
Ocean spray containing the organisms may also cause illnesses, including rashes and eye irritation in people. Some species of this genus are capable of causing 'red tide' that may be visible for long distances along a coast line.
PSP is a significant problem in several geographic areas, especially on both the east and west coasts of the US. Produced by several closely related species in the genus _Alexandrium_, PSP toxins are responsible for persistent problems due to their accumulation in filter-feeding shellfish, but they also move through the food chain, affecting zooplankton, fish larvae, adult fish, and even birds and marine mammals.
_Alexandrium_ blooms generally do not involve large-cell accumulations that discolor the water and may instead be invisible below the water surface. Low-density populations can cause severe problems due to the high potency of the toxins produced. Furthermore, _Alexandrium_ spp can grow in relatively pristine waters, and it is difficult to argue that anthropogenic nutrient inputs are stimulating the blooms. These characteristics are important when considering mitigation and control strategies.
Often PSP is associated with red tides or algal blooms. Red tide is caused by an organism called _Karenia brevis_, which in high concentration can make the water look red. The organism releases a toxin that paralyzes the respiratory system of fish and other marine life.
Airborne toxins, water spray, and splashes in an outbreak have kept people from beaches while leaving others with irritated eyes and throats. Red tide irritates the skin of people exposed to it and can cause itchy eyes, scratchy throats, and coughs. Harvesting [seafood]from affected areas for personal consumption is discouraged.
Red tide poisoning symptoms include nausea and dizziness and may last for several days.
Previously the organism causing red tide was known as _Gymnodinium breve_, but it has been reclassified in the taxonomy of dinoflagellates. Its new name is _Karenia brevis_. Karenia was chosen in honor of Dr Karen Steidinger, a prominent red tide scientist from the Florida Marine Research Institute in St Petersburg, Florida (<http://www.mote.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=%28renamed%29%20Red%20Tide%20Update_608&category=Ecotoxicology>).
- Mod.TG]
[The state of Florida can be located on the HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map at <http://healthmap.org/r/1vey>. Collier County in southwestern Florida can be seen on the map at <http://www.digital-topo-maps.com/county-map/florida.shtml>. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
[Photo of red tide:
<http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/twn_up_fls/red%20tide.jpg> - Mod.JW]]
[see also:
Red tide, fish - USA (02): (TX) 20111104.3283 Red tide, fish - USA: (TX) 20111026.3180 Red tide, shellfish - USA: (MA) alert 20110506.1400 2010
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Paralytic shellfish poisoning - USA: (ME) warning 20100714.2353
2007
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Paralytic shellfish poisoning, human - USA (ME) 20070802.2508 Red tide, aquatic mammals - USA: (FL) 20071231.4199 Manatee deaths, red tide - USA (FL) 20070403.1129
2006
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Red tide, shellfish - USA (WA) 20060824.2388
2005
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Red tide - USA (TX) 20051002.2886
Red tide - USA (FL) (06) 20050925.2829
Red tide - USA (FL) (05): sea turtles 20050819.2437] .................................................sb/tg/mj/jw/ll
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