Red tide doesn’t stop beachgoers at Naples Pier on New Year’s Eve

Reporter: Rachel Cox-Rosen
Published: Updated:
A dead fish is seen near Naples Pier on New Year’s Eve Thursday Dec. 31, 2020. Effects of red tide were noticed by some beachgoers, but it didn’t stop many from enjoying the sand and the water to say goodbye to 2020 ring in 2021. Credit: WINK News.

Red tide didn’t keep beachgoers from heading out to the Naples Pier to kick off the holiday weekend Thursday.

It was a gorgeous day out on the water, packed with families, vacationers and neighbors.

But if you walked down the shoreline of the Gulf, you would have seen some dead fish washed up on the sand.

A dead fish is seen near Naples Pier on New Year’s Eve Thursday Dec. 31, 2020. Effects of red tide were noticed by some beachgoers, but it didn’t stop many from enjoying the sand and the water to say goodbye to 2020 ring in 2021. Credit: WINK News.

Some people we spoke to hadn’t noticed any symptoms of red tide, but others reported a fishy smell and some coughing and scratchy throats.

“It’s just kind of annoying that we are out here for an awesome day and then all of a sudden we’re just coughing a lot,” Emily McBroom said.

“I have not been down to the beach since December 22 because of the red tide,” Marilee Sercu said. “But I came down today, and it’s not too bad. I can smell it every once in a while, and there are a few dead fish, but I’m not coughing, so I’m happy to be out enjoying the sunshine.”

The City of Naples has signs up warning about red tide at beach entrances.

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