Red tide takes its toll
PHOTO PROVIDED BY DON MUDD
Odd and familiar fish species fell victim to red tide on area Gulf beaches. Coastal Wildlife Club sea turtle patrol volunteer Don Mudd took this photo on Manasota Key.
PHOTOGRAPH PROVIDED BY DON MUDD
Like other fish species, this remora spotted on Manasota Key's Gulf beach could not survive the red tide bloom that's spanning four counties from Collier to Sarasota County.
From moray eels to remoras, grouper to baitfish, a wide variety of fish washed up on local Gulf beaches over the weekend due to red tide.
“It’s bad today, too,” Don Pedro Island resident Ken Conner said Monday. He reported respiratory irritation from the red tide, describing it as “pretty bad — but not that severe.” Others reported similar experiences on Manasota Key.
