FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — On Monday, the Lee County Department of Health issued a Red Tide warning for Fort Myers Beach, as thousands of dead fish—including a hammerhead shark—lined the shores near Lovers Key State Park.
WATCH AS FORT MYERS BEACH COMMUNITY CORRESPONDENT ANVAR RUZIEV REPORTS FROM THE SHORELINES, LINED WITH THE DECEASED FISH.
David Unfried, a neighbor at Lovers Key Beach Club, has witnessed the impact firsthand.
"Just three or four days ago it started, I would say thousands," Unfried said.
Unfried, who fishes at the beach daily, noted that the Red Tide has significantly disrupted marine life.
"I haven't caught anything since the Red Tide came in," he said.
The toxic algae bloom has also prompted Red Tide alerts for Bonita Beach and the Sanibel Causeway. The Florida Department of Health reported that water samples collected last week detected high concentrations of Red Tide-causing bacteria less than two miles offshore from these areas.
But it’s not just marine life suffering the effects—humans are feeling it too.
"Eyes watering when it's really bad, or there's cough, people start coughing. It's affecting people's health too," Unfried added.
The Florida Department of Health advises people not to swim in Red Tide-affected waters and to avoid the area entirely if they have chronic respiratory issues. They also warns pet owners not to let their animals eat dead fish. For those living near the beach, keeping windows closed and running air conditioning is recommended to minimize exposure.
Unfried noted that cleanup efforts in his condo community will likely fall on residents, as their property is not part of the state park.
