"Killing Florida's Water"

In 2018, Florida saw one of the worst red tide algae blooms in the state's history, with an estimated 2,000 tons of dead marine life disposed of around the state. Red tide is something that no Floridian or tourist wants to hear about as the summer months approach because of the terrible memories of lost marine life it evokes. Many Floridians, including myself and my family, enjoy visiting the beach and all the things the Florida coastline offers. The presence of red tide diminishes the time people spend on the water and kills the summer fun that the Sunshine State is famous for across the United States. While red tide algae blooms are a yearly occurrence, the severity of the effect on Florida’s water fluctuates yearly from minor impacts to large fish kills that devastate the marine ecosystem. My family often fishes the southwest Florida coastline throughout the summer, and we remember the devastation caused in 2018 for our favorite outdoor activity. The red tide blooms can have a significant adverse effect on Florida’s coastlines, waterways, and tourism opportunities.

Red tide is a harmful algae bloom that occurs yearly in the Gulf of Mexico and primarily affects the southwest Florida coast. The algae responsible for red tide is called Karenia brevis, which infects the water and negatively affects the environment. The problems this algae causes are not always immediately apparent, but the infection can lead to many terrible outcomes for wildlife and humans. The algae originates offshore in the gulf and moves inshore with the help of currents and wind. The algae feeds on nitrogen-rich nutrients like fertilizers, making the spread harder to control. When in high enough concentration to kill fish and animal species in the water, the algae will feed off the dead and decaying organisms to keep itself alive and thriving. Since the algae can feed on itself and the organisms around it, it can stay for long periods, anywhere from weeks to months, depending on the food source and reproduction rates. When highly concentrated algae move in, the water can be tainted in a reddish color, making it easy to see from the air and land. Scientists use this water discoloration to track the algae and anticipate where the algae will end up along the Florida coast. The red tide algae bloom of 2018 was exceedingly terrible, as a tropical storm that year picked up the algae and spread it to the East Coast and the Keys, making its impact known across the state.

Oxygen in the water is what keeps all marine life alive and thriving. The more oxygenated the water, the better off the animals and plants are, making for a cleaner and more prosperous marine environment. The Karenia brevis algae drastically changes the oxygen levels in the water and brings them down, making it harder for life to thrive underwater. The algae suck all of the oxygen out of the water, and when the algae die, it also uses oxygen when it decomposes, leading to low oxygen counts where fish and other animals will suffocate underwater because of the lack of oxygen.

Fishing is a significant part of Florida’s economy and tourist industry, but what happens when all the fish are dead? The algae destroys fish populations and has detrimental effects on the environment in which they live. One of the most impacted species is filter feeders such as shrimp, crabs, and oysters, which filter the water to receive certain nutrients needed to survive. When this toxic algae enters the water, these animals feel the brunt of the toxicity, which often leads to a large amount of death and decay. These smaller animals also provide a food source for large fish species that are then infected when eating these filter feeders. These problems affect fishermen the most because fishing is their livelihood from captains who work as fishing guides for tourists or shrimpers who sell their products to bait shops or fish markets. Many people become out of work. These effects of red tide eventually coalesce into large fish kills that many have seen pictures of over the years. A large amount of fish washes up on the beach and decays in the sand, leading to more problems that affect marine life and humans.

Red tide algae are not just a problem that affects wildlife health but humans as well if not treated correctly. The seafood industry suffers a significant loss during red tide because it loses products that could be sold to consumers. Oysters are a local seafood product that native Floridians and tourists enjoy, but they may be silent killers as red tide poisoning becomes a reality. It is uncommon, but red tide poisoning is a sickness that occurs when a food product is injected if the product has a high concentration of red tide toxins. One of the most significant risks of red tide on humans is when the dead fish wash up on the beach and decompose. When decomposing, animals affected by red tide are hazardous because they release red tide toxins into the air, which can affect breathing and cause face irritation. People with breathing conditions like asthma or COPD are more susceptible to this type of breathing issue because the toxins in the air make it more difficult to breathe. Even people without preexisting breathing conditions can experience discomfort and irritation when on the beach.

Tourism plays a monumental role in the Florida economy, and many businesses along the coast rely on the influx of people during the summer months to keep their businesses thriving. Red tide affects these businesses in a significant way. As the dead fish arrive on the beach, many people do not want to visit the beach and are less apt to spend their money in Florida. People come from all over the country to experience all the great things Florida has to offer. Still, if they know Florida is going through a rough red tide bloom, they are more likely to spend a vacation somewhere else, which takes money from the Florida economy. In 2018, an estimated $8 million was lost from tourism during the summer in coastal counties. That loss of revenue had detrimental effects on local businesses, which rely on the extra income for an additional pay boost or to help get the business through the slow months.

As stated earlier, red tide plays a big part in how Florida operates and how its wildlife is affected. Red tide is a dangerous algae that flows in from offshore and uses extra nutrients in the water to grow and spread poison in Florida’s waterways, leading to massive problems. The algae kills everything from the smallest fish and plants to the biggest fish and sea creatures. The dangers are not only in marine life; humans must also take precautions when eating shellfish and crustations. Going to the beach is a fun activity, but be careful of toxic algae and fish decomposing as it leads to breathing problems and could make you sick. Those reasons show the negative impact of red tide on Florida’s waterways and tourism and its impact on one of the United States' best vacation spots. Being informed about algae blooms and other water-borne diseases and algae can help you keep yourself and your family safe and enjoy all Florida has to offer.