“I am issuing an emergency declaration to provide significant funding and resources to the communities experiencing red tide so we can combat its terrible impacts,” said Governor Rick Scott in a statement on Monday, reports ABCNews.
According to the governor’s declaration, red tide is a naturally occurring algae that appears almost every year on Florida’s Gulf Coast. However, the tide is toxic and it has been killing thousands of marine animals, leaving beaches and shorelines covered with dead wildlife.
Florida's Governor Has Declared a State of Emergency Amid Toxic Red Tide Outbreak on The Gulf Coast.
The Beaches Are Now Covered With Piles of Dead Marine Wildlife and It Is Advised That People Stay Away For Now. #RedTide#KareniaBrevispic.twitter.com/xR30zlWG9d— ~Marietta️ (@MariettaPosts) August 14, 2018
With the issuance of the emergency declaration, the state will be able to dedicate more funding and resources to the communities affected by the toxic algae bloom that is now covering about 150 miles of Florida’s Gulf Coast. The order covers the counties of Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Hillsborough and Pinellas. It will make Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists and scientists available to assist in animal rescue efforts, as well as cleanup efforts.
In addition, the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium will receive $100,000 in extra funding to increase its response to the red tide. Lee County, with red tide evidence showing up at over 170 beach access points, will also get extra funding to clean up their beaches.
“I am also directing a further $900,000 in grants for Lee County to clean up impacts related to red tide –- bringing total red tide grant funding for Lee County to more than $1.3 million,” Scott said. The governor has also allocated $500,000 to assist local tourism boards, so that “communities continue to bring in the visitors that support so many Florida families and businesses.”
Red tides are a naturally occurring phenomenon
Red tide is the common name for an algal bloom caused by species of dinoflagellates and other organisms. The blooms can last from a few weeks up to a year.
What is the Florida #RedTide? pic.twitter.com/a9pXXYmFRA
— FIU (@FIU) August 13, 2018
Red tides or toxic algae blooms are generally described as harmful algal blooms or HABs. The most conspicuous effects of these kinds of red tides are marine wildlife deaths as well as the health risks to humans. Scientists have identified the culprit in this red tide event as Karenia brevis.
The tides produce toxic chemicals called brevetoxins that can harm the central nervous systems of fish and other marine life. This particular species of Karenia is known to cause respiratory distress and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) in humans. And when the concentration of the organism is high enough, it can also cause respiratory problems in humans just from breathing the toxic smell.
