Piles of dead fish floating in harbors. The bodies of lifeless sea turtles, dolphins, manatees, and the occasional whale shark. A foul, enduring smell, followed by ongoing respiratory problems. And, to top it off, muddy, rust-colored water in place of the sparkling blue beachgoers travel many miles to see on a yearly basis. Welcome to Florida’s ongoing nightmare. For months, the state has grappled with “red tide” — toxic algae bloom composed of colonies of algae that have grown out of control — spurring Gov. Rick Scott (R) to declare a state of emergency on Monday. The algae is killing marine life and hindering human health, in addition to dominating political discourse as Florida’s August 28 primary day draws near. A number of candidates have lobbed accusations at each other over the algae crisis, including Scott, who is challenging Sen. Bill Nelson (D) for the incumbent’s seat. Florida’s agriculture commissioner and gubernatorial candidate, Adam Putnam, is under fire from fellow Republican Rep. Ron DeSantis over his ties to the sugar industry, which some claim is exacerbating the algae crisis. Some Democrats, meanwhile, have vowed not to take donations from the industry. Advertisement That growing discord shows just how contentious an issue the algae — notably a naturally-occurring phenomenon — has become. But Karl Havens, a University of Florida professor who directs the Florida Sea Grant Program, told ThinkProgress that the algae crisis is a complicated and nuanced issue — something that’s getting lost in the uproar. Havens has spent his entire career devoted to aquatic research, with a focus on how aquatic ecosystems respond to stressors, both natural and human-driven. Red tide, he explained, is a complex and tricky phenomenon that many people misunderstand. What is red tide and how is it distinct from other algae? Dinoflagellates cause red tide and they are found in many types of water — lakes, oceans, estuaries. In order to bloom and become red tide, however, they need saltwater, making the Gulf of Mexico an appealing location. Blooms also need nutrients, something they can locate naturally or from sources like fertilizer run-off and agricultural byproducts. “The red tide blooms in the Gulf of Mexico may very well be a natural phenomenon,” said Havens. “We don’t really know if their development has changed much since people were first in Florida.” But red tide comes with some deeply unpleasant side effects. “This particular species that forms the red tide, it produces a toxin that can cause all sorts of things, from fish kills to respiratory distress,” said Havens. Advertisement The toxins can transfer to the air as waves crash, Havens noted. Then, as people walk along Florida’s beaches, they come into contact with them, leading to a range of side effects, with nausea and vomiting among the potential symptoms. This is a common occurrence in Florida. So why is it a big issue this year? Red tide has hit Florida before, at times with great intensity. But this time around, it’s having a more resounding impact, something that’s partially thanks to waves and currents. “Depending on how the winds are usually going, you wouldn’t even notice it, it’d go away,” Havens said. “But this year, the currents brought it close to the shoreline. Whatever was out there in deeper water got pushed closer to the shore.” That means the algae is much more visible. It also means its ramifications are being felt in an immediate and visceral way, in an area where tourism is a top industry, as opposed to prior years, when the red tide impacted regions further north. “A lot of the beaches that many of us like to go to, you can’t go to them anymore. You’ll end up coughing and sneezing. And people are seeing the dead fish wash ashore,” said Havens. “There are dead sea turtles. It’s a very visible event this year, more so than other years.” Advertisement The sight of dead animals coupled with strong physical reactions — like headaches and respiratory issues — are steering tourists away from beaches and forcing homeowners to rethink their decision to live by the water, all of which is bolstering media coverage of the crisis. Algae is a natural phenomenon, but red tide causes controversy. Let’s separate fact from fiction — what are the factors in play here? Scientists are in agreement: algae is an important part of nature. But other factors are contributing to the scope of the current crisis. Politicians, like Gov. Scott, have pointed to an overabundance of rain around Lake Okeechobee, Florida’s largest freshwater lake. The Army Corps of Engineers releases water from the lake when it rises too high, sending it off into the ocean — along with a healthy dose of algae. In all likelihood, that excess water is one contributing factor. But it’s not alone. Pollution from agricultural operations has also been blamed, as have nutrients possibly carried by Hurricane Irma’s winds and waters last year. Climate change is also an exacerbating factor. As a coastal state, Florida is extremely vulnerable to sea level rise and warming temperatures. Warmer air and water give algae the environment it needs to thrive, a point scientists have emphasized. “We know from research that we’ve done, that as lakes continue to warm, that these things will be more severe,” said Havens. But that doesn’t mean this year’s crisis can be immediately blamed on human-driven global warming. “One event can’t be linked to climate change,” Havens emphasized, noting that researchers need more data over a longer period of time. “Long term though, probably.” Then there’s the sugar industry, which may be taking an outsized amount of blame unfairly. “One of the rumors that continues to go around and around, is that all of this is the sugar industry,” said Havens, sounding bemused. “And when I first heard that I thought, where did this come from?” Florida’s sugar production, he said, takes place in areas that probably aren’t directly contributing to the bulk of the nutrient run-off feeding the algae. Moreover, Florida is home to “all different kinds of agricultural industries,” making it hard to level blame at one specific culprit. Ultimately, he emphasized, human pollution is fueling the issue more generally, regardless of where it’s coming from. “All of us, myself included, are contributing to the problems we’re having with our water quality,” Havens said. What is being done to control the algae and fix the problems? Researchers are working hard to learn more about the algae and to study what’s happening, but they’re running into problems. Florida has gutted its water quality network over the past decade, even as killer algae has grown increasingly more prevalent. Scott has notably slashed water management budgeting and researchers say they’ve struggled under the weight of budget cuts. Under pressure on the campaign trail, Scott has pushed to both accelerate water quality testing and to direct money to local businesses reeling from the crisis. His rival, Nelson, has similarly called for more research into the issue and pointed to Scott’s environmental record as an enduring culprit. But even with additional funding for testing and research, real solutions and understanding won’t come for quite some time, according to Havens, who noted that scientists need time to study the algae. “It isn’t a quick fix,” said Havens. “We’re talking decades.” What are the long-term implications of this year’s red tide crisis? Measuring the impact of this year’s red tide will be hard in the short term. Havens noted that it will take time to study the damage caused by the algae’s prevalence. Some things, however, we already know for sure. “There’s ecological effects — sea turtles are being killed, so there’s an impact on the sea turtle population,” Havens said. “I think for Florida — here we are in a state where we’ve had environmental regulations rolled back, the biggest impact could be on the economy. We’re trying to create jobs. A lot of the jobs in Florida depend on tourism. People aren’t coming because of the red tide. If you look now, numbers are down. People aren’t filling hotels, they aren’t taking out boats.” Havens noted that the ramifications could carry into next year, with international tourists especially less likely to return after an unpleasant trip. Longer term, he said, if the issue becomes more common and persistent, it will almost certainly hurt the economy. And if officials continue to roll back environmental regulations in Florida, such possibilities only become more likely. “Fewer regulations is not such a great idea,” he said wryly.<doc-sep>(CNN) — Five counties in Florida remain at the mercy of the weather and water currents as a “red tide” algae bloom continues to choke their waters, marine life and economies. Red tide has spread to roughly 130 miles of coastline in Florida’s Manatee, Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota counties. When algae blooms and then dies, it releases toxins that can kill marine life. Red tides are amorphous and can be steered by wind and water currents. One day, with the winds blowing off-shore, only a few dead fish may wash onto beaches. The next could be a bad day with red tide staining the crashing waves, littering white sands with dead fish and other marine life. Florida’s Governor Rick Scott has issued a state of emergency for the five counties and local governments now face an uncertain and uphill battle as they work to clean up their shorelines. More than 2,000 tons of dead marine life Manatee County has picked up 164 tons of fishkill so far this August. Sarasota County, just south, has picked up more than 149 tons. But those counties pale in comparison to Fort Myers’ Lee County, about 50 miles further south. Since August 2, contractors hired by Lee County have picked up over 1,700 tons of dead sea life. That number doesn’t include marine life collected by the county’s parks and recreation department, nor does it include counts on the islands of Boca Grande and Captiva. The overall total also does not include dead fish collected from the extensive network of privately owned canals throughout the five counties. Charlotte and Collier counties told CNN they were not keeping track of any fishkill collections on their beaches. But Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s database shows that Charlotte County had seven reported fish kills so far in August and Collier has had 13. During this same time last year, Charlotte County had one reported fish kill and Collier County had none. Charlotte County includes the Cape Haze Aquatic Preserve, the Gasparilla Sound-Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve and the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park. Combined, those three preserves cover 140,605 acres of protected marine wildlife. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection says Charlotte County is handling cleanup in these preserves. Charlotte County told CNN they are not keeping track of how much dead sea life has been collected or costs relating to red tide cleanup. Businesses have lost more than $8 million Visit Florida, the state’s official tourism marketing arm, tells CNN it’s currently surveying businesses in the five counties to determine how much business they have lost during the red tide crisis, which has lasted for more than nine months. Sanibel and Captiva Island’s Chamber of Commerce reported losses of over $4 million from a red tide outbreak in July. August numbers have yet to be released. Sarasota County lists its August damages from red tide at more than $1.4 million. Just north of Sarasota County, Cortez Surf & Paddle in Manatee County relies on clear beaches and clean water for its business. Now that red tide has moved in, owner Rochelle Neumann told CNN they haven’t been able to make any bookings. “I have no way of knowing if this is going to last two weeks or four more months,” she said. “This may shut us down permanently.” The Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce estimates red tide has cost businesses there almost $2.7 million so far in August. And it’s not just businesses owners that are being squeezed. Employees of businesses in Fort Myers Beach are estimated to have lost $559,770 in wages this month. Governments are budgeting millions for cleanup With red tide still choking waters along Florida’s Gulf Coast and with no clear end in sight, state and local governments are preparing for a long fight. FWC tells CNN that 7,600 water samples have been processed since they began monitoring the bloom in November 2017. The price tag of cleanup in Sarasota County has reached more than $96,000. Other counties are working with state agencies to clean their beaches. Manatee County just received a $750,000 grant they’ll be using for expenses relating to the cleanup. Lee County received some $1.3 million in assistance from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.<doc-sep>
SARASOTA, FLORIDA, Aug. 22 All the water birds—pelicans, egrets, cormorants—are gone. Flies swarm the coast of the seaside city of Sarasota, Florida. Crows caw. The air stinks of death. Carpets of fish, belly-up, mouths gaping, line the shore. This is the putrid new world created by a toxic red algae bloom spanning 130 miles of the state’s west coast, which has so far killed masses of fish, 12 dolphins, more than 500 manatees, 300 sea turtles, countless horseshoe crabs, a whale shark, and the local economy. The docks behind otherwise desirable condo buildings are surrounded by fish carcasses. The waters of the bay are dotted with them, silver and white, glinting in the hot sun, looking from a distance like the crests of thousands of small waves. At least 100 tons of sea creatures have fallen victim to the toxic bloom known as “red tide.” Meanwhile, when breezes blow the toxin inland, people cough, and reports of respiratory problems are on the rise in local hospitals. The bloom occurs almost annually in Florida. But its effects this year have been exceptionally devastating. It’s a terrifying sight to behold, and a stark foreshadowing of what may become commonplace as climate change transforms nature and our lives. Although scientists don’t know exactly what caused this particularly vicious red algae bloom, they do believe that warming waters brought on by human-induced weather changes and the effects of building development have contributed to the ever-more extreme red tides of the last half-century. There’s a lot of talk about the threats posed by climate change—to animals, people, and the environment. But abstract chatter is hard to fathom. We can’t really imagine what it will be like when the reality we know is replaced, and what’s beautiful turns to rot. The red tide in Florida doesn’t just make the issue of global warming visible; it’s an all-out sensory onslaught. And it’s a reminder that climate change isn’t just dangerous. It’s also going to make the world an increasingly ugly and unpleasant place. A state of emergency Ephrat Livni On Aug. 13, Florida governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in Hillsborough, Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee and Pinellas counties. The order provides added funding and resources for clean-up efforts. But money is no match for the sea. In Sarasota, the fish carcasses pile up again soon after they’re removed. Yachts are stalled in their dockside slips. Tourists are canceling trips. The sidewalk cafes and restaurants are empty. The tourism group Visit Sarasota County surveyed local businesses and found that 90% of 77 respondents—from hotels to jet-ski rental companies to restaurants— said they had lower sales between Aug. 1-7 because of the toxic algae and resulting dead fish. Locals, too, are staying inside, hiding from the heat and stench and signs of death, hoping that the region’s most redeeming feature, the water, will become hospitable again soon. From bad to worse Red tide is caused by massive blooms of the toxic organism Karenia brevis. The bloom is composed of millions of minuscule, single-celled plant-like organisms that produce chemicals as a defense, including the compound brevetoxin. Ephrat Livni Deceptively pretty. The toxic red algae, or something like it, was first reported in the 1500s by Spanish explorers (paywall) who spotted dead fish in unusual quantities on crimson-hued waters. It’s been officially documented by scientists since the mid-19th century. Ephrat Livni Behind the luxury condos. The naturally-occurring bloom’s spread seems to have been exacerbated by human activities. In the last 60 years, red tides have become more severe. Some scientists posit (paywall) that this is a result of warming waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Warm waters boost algae growth, and the Gulf’s surface temperature has warmed by about two degrees Fahrenheit since 1977, as oceans soak up more heat in the atmosphere from ever-increasing carbon dioxide emissions. Also notable is the fact that human endeavors have reshaped the flow of Florida’s waters. Agriculture, building development, canals, levees, and dikes have all changed the way rainwater, containing phosphorous and nitrogen from farm fertilizers, is directed. The rainwater runoff now rushes into rivers and bays, and the nitrogen-laden flow coaxes algae blooms. Another contributing factor to this year’s red tide: About a year ago, in September of 2017, hurricane Irma struck Florida. The US Army Corps of Engineers had to release loads of nutrient-ridden water from Lake Okeechobee to limit water levels at the Hoover Dike. The latest red tide began about a month later.