Red Tide returns on shores of Boca Grande

Red tide is back in Southwest Florida. Dead fish are lining the northern end of Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island. The latest maps show high levels of the blooms in that area. It’s a disappointing sight for business owners who rely on clean water. 

WINK News spoke to Maxwell Kemp, who works on Boca Grande. Kemp’s friend owns Glass Bottom Boat Rentals on the island, but his friend and the open sign were not there.  

“We thought it was going to get better, and he reopened for a week,” Kemp said. “Then next thing you know this week, it’s been bad. 

The owner of the boat rental business told WINK, after closing for months during summer because of red tide, they had to stow away boats again yesterday.  

“It hurt not just him but a lot of businesses,” Kemp said.  

Dana and John Dilorenzo recently arrive on the island to fish. They said game fish unlike others that washed up near the north side of the island don’t seem affected.  

“There were some people here today catching some real nice blue fish,” John Dilorenzo said. “I mean good size, one after another, after another.” 

They’re hoping this recent bout of red tide is just part of the cycle and only hurts the smaller fish they saw.  

“Those little dead fish in the water, they look like pin fish and red fish,” John Dilorenzo said.  

For those who live nearby, they’re hoping it doesn’t hurt business.  

Glass Bottom Boat Rentals plans to re-open as soon as red tide subsides near the business. 

Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association reported no red-tide-related sea turtle deaths have been recorded since late September.

“We’re surrounded by water here,” Kemp said. The are fish washing up from the bay and from the coast, so I think we do get a little bit more of the effects of the Red Tide.”