Red Tide Lingers and Spreads North

Scores of dead fish accumulate along the shoreline behind homes on Bowdoin Circle

I don't know about you...but things have been a bit unpleasant smelling around the neighborhood of late.  And if you're snow birding or on holiday right now, no rush to get back.  It's downwright nasty here.  The red tide bloom that first hit North Lido Key with a vengeance last week is showing no signs of abating anytime soon.

The noxious odor, exacerbated by on-shore breezes, is also causing lung irritation and stinging eyes on both the Gulf and Bay sides of Lido Shores.

Hundreds of dead fish have washed up over the past few days behind the bayside homes along John Ringling Parkway and Bowdoin Circle.  These pictures were taken Tuesday afternoon (August 7th) behind our rental home, dead fish collecting among the docks and along the rip rap on the shoreline.

Rotting fish add to noxious red tide odor

When the wind kicks up during afternoon storms, the vile stench of rotting fish, combined with the eye-watering smell of red tide, is overpowering.  Even with the AC on and windows closed, the offensive air somehow manages to make it's way inside.

We noticed over the weekend that some visiting friends, who ordinarily lament having to head back north, were more than happy to head to the airport Monday morning.

While the irritating red tide outbreak lingers here... it is also moving north, affecting Longboat Key and Anna Maria Islands as well.  The last major red tide outbreak was back in 2004-05... lasting nearly 18-months.

Dead fish float to the surface all across Pansy Bayou as well. (Photo by Sue Lifeso)

~Bob Thill
bthill@icloud.com