The latest numbers from FWC suggest Hurricane Michael gave the area some red tide relief. Most areas in Sarasota and Manatee Counties show little or no red tide levels in the water.
“I knew it eventually had to give up,” said charter Captain Kathe Fannon.
Fannon said this is the first week the Anna Maria area was red tide free.
“The water is clear the critters are back the sand dollars are fine, the blue crabs are really crawling in the bay and everybody is really happy,” said Fannon.
FWC scientists believe Hurricane Michael blew the algae bloom further north. Some areas of Pinellas County are still experiencing medium levels of red tide. Scientists believe the panhandle region of the state is also experiencing red tide, but they won’t be able to test the waters until the relief effort is completed.
Fannon said her business has doubled since Michael. She’s hoping for permanent red tide relief.
“It was so horrible we didn’t think it would ever leave,” said Fannon.
