PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County officials are reporting that the dead fish floating on shore of various beaches throughout the county are associated with red tide.
Officials said dead fish have washed ashore on Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach north of Redington Beach.
Water samples have also confirmed high levels of red tide in Madeira Beach.
Cleanup activities are ongoing and contractors are working to harvest the dead fish floating offshore Clearwater Pass before they come in, officials said. More people and resources will be deployed to the area Sunday to Tuesday to help with clean up.
Water samples were collected at multiple sites Sunday and analyzed for the presence of Karenia brevis, which is the red tide organism.
The results are as followed:
- Pass-a-Grille Beach – low
- Madeira Beach – high
- John’s Pass – high
- Park Boulevard Boat Ramp – not present
- Belleair Boat Ramp – low
- Clearwater Pass – low
Pinellas County parks that reported no dead fish, odors or discolored water include Fort De Soto, Sand Key Park and Fred Howard Park.
Meteorologist Greg Dee explained that the presence of red eide at the beaches is likely a result of the on-shore flow that developed over the weekend. Winds will be SW again Monday, which will keep the red tide close to shore.
