ST. PETE BEACH, Fla. — NOAA's National Center for Coastal Ocean Science said beaches in Pinellas, Sarasota, and Manatee Counties may see an increase in respiratory irritation from red tide over the next 36 hours.
Check the beach forecast before you head out here.
Red tide (Karenia brevis) was reported in concentrations that could cause respiratory irritation as far south as Charlotte and Lee Counties.
The Florida Department of Health said Symptoms from breathing red tide toxins usually include coughing, sneezing, and teary eyes. For most people, symptoms are temporary when red tide toxins are in the air. Wearing a particle filter mask may lessen the effects, and research shows that using over-the-counter antihistamines may decrease your symptoms.
NOAA said the moderate to high risk of respiratory irritation will be when the winds are blowing onshore or alongshore and less likely if the winds are blowing offshore.
“When the beach is impacted, then all the businesses along the beach feel it, myself included," Lenny Stamos, owner of Lenny's Surf Shop, said.
Red tide is something he knows all too well.
"It has been much more consistent the last couple of years," Stamos added.
Lenny sent ABC Action News a picture his wife took on Tuesday at St. Pete Beach. He said when the water looks like that, his business feels it.
"Local people who are familiar with the area they stay away from the beaches when they see that color," Stamos explained.
People like Blake Kolbus feel the same way.
Im at the beach every single day... It definitely impacts me being able to go to the beach when I want to, especially as a fisherman. It severely impacts our water it kills off a lot of fish," Kolbus said.
He said he’s seen the water quality worsen in the last couple of days.
"I haven’t seen too much happening on the beach yet, with anything washing up. There's no smell or dead fish, but definitely on the boat, the water is significantly dirtier," Kolbus added.
But red tide isn’t just a fish killer. It impacts businesses like Sun and Sand in St. Pete.
"There are definitely a lot less customers, less people actually going to the beach," Julie Peltonen, manager of Sun and Sand, said.
She said it’s been a good year when it comes to red ride and she’s hopeful business will follow suite.
"A lot of people aren’t going in that water in December and January. It’s a little too cold. So, I think it's not as bad this time of year as it would be in the middle of the summer like we had a few years back," Peltonen added.
As for Lenny, he said this is just another hurdle small businesses have to get through.
"We're going to muddle through like we have in the past years and hopefully it’ll pass quickly and not linger too much longer," Stamos said.
Check the beach forecast before you head out here.
