Persistent red tide bloom off Naples to Boca Grande raises concerns

As the weather warms up, more people are heading to the beach. However, those with beach plans in Southwest Florida should be aware of the persistent red tide affecting the coastline.

Ralph Arwood, a pilot and environmentalist, took WINK News anchor Liz Biro on a flight from Naples to Boca Grande to observe the red tide.

“You can see the red tide goes for many miles into the gulf,” said Arwood. He added, “For the last week, it’s been right on the surface. It’s this bright orangish-red color.”

On Saturday afternoon, the worst of the bloom was 10 miles off Cayo Costa, staining the water and extending for miles.

Arwood said, “If wildlife get stuck in the middle of this, it’s got a long way to go to get clean water.”

Boaters entering the bloom may experience burning eyes, coughing, and shortness of breath. Arwood mentioned, “Last week, there was some like this right along Sanibel and Captiva.”

Arwood shared his observation, saying, “I’ve been doing it for 8 years, and there’s been some every year. Some years worse than others—this has been the biggest I’ve seen. It went from Sanibel to 15 miles offshore—one big bloom.”

Rick Bartleson, a research scientist with the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, showed Biro the aftermath of the bloom—a canal in Sanibel filled with dead fish.

Bartleson expressed concern, saying, “The patch that was south of us now seems to be west of us, and so it doesn’t seem to be moving away.”

When asked about the duration of the bloom, Bartleson said, “Probably by March if it’s still going in March.”

Looking down from the skies, Arwood, who has lived in the area since the 1980s, described the situation as aggravating.

“It seems to be more often, and it seems to last longer,” said Arwood. “It’s disappointing. Our reason to be here is the quality of living and the quality of water, and it keeps getting worse.”

The red tide may lead to more challenges if it continues to linger.