In the News
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 23
This week, John discusses the red tide that we are still encountering in the Gulf and how it is impacting our wildlife and beaches. If you encounter a fish kill or hurt, stranded or dying wildlife, please report it to FWC.
Red Tide Continues from Captiva South to Marco
FWC red tide maps are now showing almost 45 nautical miles of Gulf coast from Captiva Island south to Marco Island in the grip of an invasive force of single-celled terrorists. They resemble tiny four-chambered hearts with squiggly tails: the dreaded Karenia brevis.
Red Tide Still Plaguing Southwest Florida Shores
Dozens of vultures gathered on Bunche Beach on Tuesday feasting on dead fish that washed up on shore thanks to red tide. A red tide bloom can irritate the eyes and cause people to cough. It’s hard to predict when a red tide bloom will begin and when it will finally go away.
As Red Tide Spreads Along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Army Corps Begins Reducing Polluted Discharges From Lake O
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to cut back on discharges from Lake Okeechobee, ending months of polluted releases as red tide conditions worsen on the Gulf Coast, where dead fish have littered beaches and toxic levels of the algae have been detected from Sanibel to Marco Island.
Studying How Highest Levels of Red Tide Affect People Along SWFL Coast
A recent map shows the highest levels of red tide along Southwest Florida’s coast. But more research needs to be done to know just how it affects air quality and humans. The last month of 2020 saw dead fish and high levels of red tide sprinkled across SWFL beaches.
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 22
For the final episode of 2020, Calusa Waterkeeper, John Cassani takes the time to thank all those that help make Calusa Waterkeeper possible. This couldn’t happen without the generous support from all of you. Thank you!
Words from the Waterkeeper, Episode 21
This week, Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani, informs us of Lake Okeechobee and the ongoing releases from the Army Corps of Engineers into the Caloosahatchee. There has also been a recent spike in red tide along the gulf.
Possible Red Tide Exposure Warning Prompted for Bonita Beach Park
Florida Department of Health in Lee County sent a health alert advising red tide blooms could be present along the coast near Bonita Beach Park. They’re also high levels of red tide in the Gulf off the coast of Lee and Collier County.
Fort Myers Leaders & Environmental Groups Collaborate for Billy’s Creek Clean-up
The contaminated water in Billy’s Creek today is not the same water Councilman Johnny Streets remembers seeing as a child. “We used to go down to Billy’s Creek and do a lot of fishing. Not only fishing but also crabbing,” said Streets.
Researchers Warn Red Tide is Back in Southwest Florida
It may not be killing fish or burning human throats yet, but red tide is lurking along Southwest Florida’s shoreline. Scientists sampling water for Karenia brevis, the microscopic toxic algae that produce red tide, find concentrations are declining along many Sanibel beaches
Florida Law does Little to Clean up Waterways
Florida’s waterways have been choked by blue-green algae and red tide for years, and are now on life support. However, the Clean Waterways Act signed into law this summer does very little to help Florida’s ailing waterways.
Aerial Images of SWFL Shores Shows Dark Water Discharge
A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting waterways in Lee County took pictures of shorelines to show the effect of recent water releases from Lake Okeechobee. Plus, researchers from SCCF detected a medium level of red tide in the waters around Sanibel.
