Potentially harmful algal bloom found just north of Longboat Key

A report of dead fish washing up in Palma Sola Bay led to water testing, which is raising alarm bells among environmental advocates.

According to Suncoast Waterkeeper executive director Abbey Tyrna, a water sample from Palma Sola Bay determined that an alga known as Ceratium furca was found in the water. 

The alga causes brownish-red water, which people could see at Palma Sola Bay, where they observed dead fish, prompting the testing. 

“This is NOT good news,” said Sarasota Bay Estuary Program executive director David Tomasko in an email. “This organism is rightfully classified as a harmful algal bloom.”

Decomposing dapis pleousa, another type of blue-green alga, was also seen at Emerson Point Preserve and Terra Ceia Bay, according to Suncoast Waterkeeper water quality and pollution specialist Pia Ronquillo-See. Tyrna said the recent rain the area experienced may have flushed out some of the blooms. She said the algae that were present do not seem to have an impact on health for humans, but can kill fish. That killing of fish can potentially start a cycle that intensifies the bloom. A more recent test showed improvement from the previous week.

“There were no dead fish on the shore (when we tested this week) so we don’t think it’s intensifying,” Tyrna said. “Rain usually dissipates the algal bloom. Hopefully that’s true in this case, but we can only wait and see.”

Tyrna said it’s too early to tell the extent of the algal bloom or determine whether the issue is resolved for the season.