COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — This past weekend marked the first for some Southwest Florida beaches are dealing with high concentrations of red tide present. Earlier this week we showed you how dozens of dead fish were washing up along the shoreline in Collier County.
The bloom has prompted some to re-think their beach plans, especially with the potential issues, red tide can cause to humans.
“I think people with allergies it would prevent them from coming or make different plans or check out the beaches that they are going to be visiting to see if there is any problems" said Kelly-Ann Rayle.
For tourist coming into town to enjoy the beautiful beaches, the sight of dead fish could be quite an unsettling experience.
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"Its pretty gross, you can randomly step on dead fish when your in the water and there is obviously dead fish sitting up on the beach” said JJ Suarez.
Auddi Pearlman says he was on Keewaydin island this weekend where he describes seeing a significant amount of dead fish in the water and onshore.
“After we were there a little bit it sort of faded away, many people where still in the beach but there were fish floating around” said Auddi Pearlman.
Mathew Berman, who’s lived in the area for 47 years and says he’s continued to come out to the beach every day and is not at all worried about the blooms
“I know its only its only temporary, it comes and goes” said Mathew Berman.
If you’re looking to completely avoid beaches where the red tide may be present head over to the Florida Fish and Wildlife conservation website.
