Saying Good-Bye to 2018 & Good Riddance to Florida Red Tide

Florida Red Tide — It’s GONE!

Storms are not usually cause for celebration and most of us don’t enjoy cool temperatures, clouds, rain and turbulent waters. But, all of us at Anna Maria Island Condo Rentals celebrated when the recent storms hit Anna Maria Island. Why? Because, these storms gave red tide a fatal beating! The December storms that hit just before Christmas brought colder temperatures, high winds gusting to 50 mph and waves cresting at 10 feet. They effectively broke up the bloom and killed the bacteria as the red tide cells weren’t able to swim towards nutrients needed to feed and continue to bloom. Good-bye and good riddance to red tide!
Red tide has affected our area on the Gulf Coast of Florida, sporadically since August and we are happy to bid it farewell. I have heard many different descriptions of Red Tide, here is my understanding of it …
  • Red tide blooms are not new, they have formed in the Gulf of Mexico for hundreds of years. Excessive blooming of plankton known as Karenia brevis causes red tide. The blooming is natural and it typically occurs it is typically late summer or early fall. The bloom of this algae in high densities often turns the beautiful blue water a murky brown or reddish color.
  • Red tides can last a few weeks or many months depending on conditions that influence the bloom’s growth. These conditions include, water currents, sunlight, speed and direction of the wind, nature in general.
  • Humans do not contract red tide — they exhibit symptoms from being exposed to it. Symptoms are typically burning eyes and throat irritation with a cough and can vary individually.
  • Red Tide can affect the central nervous system of fish and other vertebrates, causing these animals to die. Scientists tell us, mammals like manatee are particularly susceptible because they breathe in the toxin, can ingest toxic food and take in some seawater containing toxins.
  • When we see dead fish the cause is not always red tide; there are other conditions that affect marine life.
So, let’s get back to and expand on the good news!!!
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently reported
red tide was not found in any water samples collected last week in Florida waters. Two test sites in Manatee County showed no presence with background levels in waters off Manatee County shores at the Palma Sola Bay bridge. Note: Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects on people or marine life. Background simply means not present or less than 1,000 cells.
-No fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported this week
FWC
Their interactive map is updated daily, but due to the holidays, the last samplings recorded were taken Dec. 26 with the next available report available on Friday, January 4th.
Go to myfwc.com for more information.

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium – Beach Conditions Reporting System

Date Reported 2018-12-30 15:02:16
Flag Green
Water Color Moderate
Red Drift None
Red Drift Location Not Available
Air Temperature 78.03 degrees F
Water Surface Temp 64 degrees F
Weather Summary Clear
Respiratory Irritation None
Dead Fish None
Jellyfish None
Beach Debris None
Wind Direction South
Wind Speed 6.32 MPH
Rip Currents None
Surf Calm
Surf Type Shore Break
Surf Height 0-1FT
Crowds Many
Red Tide Current Status – Most recent 8 days of sampling December 28, 2018 Manatee Karenia brevis cells per litre — not present/background (0-1,000)

So how do we feel about all of this and what are we telling our incoming guests?

Pack your bags, load up your car, your best vacation is about to begin.

Anna Maria Island Condo Rentals look forward to welcoming you!

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