What You Need To Know About The Toxic Red Tide That’s Making People Sick And Killing Animals In Florida
When you think of Florida, picturesque white-sand beaches probably come to mind. But this year has been a difficult one for the typically stunning Florida coast. A red tide — a toxic plume of Karenia brevis algae — has plagued more than 100 miles of coastline since October, leaving thousands of sea creatures dead, hurting the tourism industry and causing Florida’s governor to declare a state of emergency.
Wildlife of all types, from fish to crabs and manatees, dolphins and turtles, have been sickened or killed by the toxic algae. National Geographic reported that since the beginning of the year, at least 8o manatees, hundreds of sea turtles and even a 26-foot-long whale shark, found on Sanibel Island’s coast, have washed ashore. And the red tide is killing fish by the thousands.
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