Elevated red tide levels prompt warning signs to be placed on some beaches across Sarasota County

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — Department of Health officials say there are elevated levels of red tide in and around Sarasota County beaches. 

And, signs warning people of red tide in the water will be placed on some beaches along Sarasota County starting Friday.

The signs will be posted at every beach from North Jetty to Longboat Key, according to county health officials. The reason is that low levels of the ride tide organism Karenia brevis have been detected in the waters surrounding those beaches.

The following beaches will have signs:

• Longboat Key
• Bird Key Park (Ringling Causeway
• North Lido Beach
• Lido Casino
• South Lido
• Siesta Beach
• Turtle Beach
• Nokomis Beach
• North Jetty Beach

County health officials advise anyone with chronic respiratory problems to consider staying away from the beach because red tide can affect breathing. 

If you happen to see dead fish in the water, health officials say don't swim around that area. And, keep your pets and livestock away from water, seafoam and dead sea life. 

If you're fishing in that area, health officials say you should not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish. If fish are healthy, rinse the fillets with tap or bottled water and throw away the guts. 

If you live near the beach, DOH advises you to close your windows and run your air conditioner.

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Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows medium levels of red tide in Sarasota County.

According to FWC's latest red tide report, respiratory irritation and fish kills were reported over the past week in Sarasota County.

Florida Poison Control centers have a toll-free 24/7 hotline for reporting illnesses, including health effects from red tide exposure. You can call 1-888-232-8635.

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