COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. -- Fox 4 is tracking red tide on our beaches, where in some places it's made the day on the sand not so pleasant for some visiting from both near and far.
Fish kills are a sight no one wants to see when they come to the beach.
"It's horrible, there are dead fish everywhere. It stinks. It makes you cough," says Lynn Brinker, visiting from South Dakota.
Red tide is yet again causing issues foe beachgoers.
"It gets bad when it gets kind of smelly, but it's kind of interesting to see what kind of fish there are," says Bonita Springs resident Becky Lofeahr.
Monday morning, Fox 4 came across hundreds of fish kills washing up along the shore at Barefoot Beach, causing many vacationers to turn away.
However, some locals say they've learned to deal with it. “It's just nature. It's been around for hundreds of years, so red tide is nothing new."
Other beaches have also been impacted in Southwest Florida. Maps released by researchers show that there are very low concentrations of red tide reported in Charlotte and Lee counties, and medium concentrations cited in Collier County.
So if you’re someone who enjoys going to the beach, be aware that red ride can irritate your throat and lungs.
Because of that, doctors say anyone with breathing issues should avoid beaches with a red tide warning.
Florida Fish and Wildlife issues a weekly Red Tide Status Report.
