Red tide subsides RED TIDE REPORT

CORTEZ - Local fishermen have their finger on the pulse of red tide, and some say the effects have subsided.

At a Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) board meeting on April 3, a fishing report by some board members held promise.

“There’s finally some good news,” said Karen Bell, owner of A.P. Bell Fish Co. “Bait fish are normal size, they were really small last year. Grouper are doing well and there are no mullet right now.”

Nathan Meschelle, a local commercial fisherman and president of Organized Fishermen of Florida’s Cortez chapter, said cautiously that things look better right now from a red tide perspective, but he wanted to see what the summer - and warmer waters - would bring.

The latest report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shows background levels of red tide - a normal occurrence - in the Palma Sola Bay bridge area in Bradenton, very low levels at the Longboat Pass Boat Ramp in Bradenton Beach and low levels at the Rod and Reel Pier in Anna Maria.

Visitbeaches.org, the Mote Marine Beach Conditions Reporting system, shows no respiratory irritation or fish kills at local beaches.

Red tide is a type of algae that produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin, which can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the

High

(respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills, water discoloration)

Medium

(probable respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills)

Low

(possible respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures, fish kills)

Very low

(possible respiratory irritation)

Background

(no effects)

None (no red tide present)

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission water and go inside to an air-conditioned space with closed windows and a clean A/C filter. Wearing masks, especially during onshore winds, is also advised.

Health officials warn against swimming near dead fish, and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and seafoam, which can contain high concentrations of red tide. Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue.

Officials also warn that consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. Shellfish are inspected for sale at retail stores and restaurants, unlike shellfish harvested by individuals.

Call 866-300-9399 at anytime from anywhere in Florida to hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state.

Code enforcement officer sought

The city of Bradenton Beach hopes to soon hire a full-time code enforcement officer.

The city’s previous code enforcement officer, Ron Peterson, vacated his position in December. Building Official Steve Gilbert has served as the city’s acting code enforcement officer since then.

“We have been without a code enforcement officer since the end of December,” Mayor John Chappie noted during the city commission’s March 6 meeting.

Chappie said Police Chief John Cosby will manage and supervise the new code enforcement officer and be paid an additional $5,000 per year to do so.

The commission authorized Cosby to advertise the code enforcement officer’s position at an annual salary not to exceed $48,000.

Chappie said the new code enforcement officer will help enforce the city’s transient public lodging establishment (vacation rental) ordinance.