Red tide fish kills floating back to shore

Country Club Shores residents are wary of dead fish from red tide concentrations making their way back into bayside canals and stinking up their neighborhood. 

Commissioner Lynn Larson, a Country Club Shores resident, informed Town Manager Dave Bullock in an email Monday that "we are seeing dead fish in our canals again."

"We are not seeing large numbers, yet, but they are washing in the canals," Larson wrote. 

Strong northwest winds associated with a cold front today, though, could bring more dead fish to the area. Town staff will monitor the situation. 

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 in the area for months.

In November, fish kills associated with red tide was removed  by the town. 

The town 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 the town manager.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].