Red tide fish kills washing ashore on Longboat Key

Winds and currents have brought a small concentration of dead fish associated with toxic red tide to the shores of Longboat Key and Beer Can Island.

Red tide is a harmful algae, which causes respiratory irritation in humans and serious health issues in marine life and pets. Medium concentrations of red tide in Manatee and Sarasota counties have been reported for the last month.

Last week, fish kills associated with red tide was removed at Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island. Red tide algae blooms have been detected off the coast in both Manatee and Sarasota counties. 

Public Works Director Juan Florensa called the fish kills on Longboat Key “very minor.”

“We’ve had reports of fish kills washing ashore on the bay side of the Key and on Beer Can Island,” Florensa said. 

The town of Longboat Key does not clean up minor fish kills from its shores but will offer assistance for moderate to severe fish kills if its deemed necessary by Town Manager Dave Bullock.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].