SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — After Red Tide disappeared from the entire west side of Florida's coast, it's returned in the South.
Florida Fish & Wildlife released their newest map showing high concentrations of the toxic algae bloom along Lido Key and Siesta Key, as well as 2.5 miles offshore. Low concentrations were also found along Venice beaches.
Further south, low concentrations were found 12 miles off Cayo Costa. All other Southwest Florida test sites found no concentrations of red tide.
→ Red Tide Current Status Map ←
Mote Marine scientists remained skeptical last week, saying they found Red Tide patches about 10 miles off Sarasota's shore.
Experts believe the majority of the other beaches on our coast are clear because of colder temperatures and December's storms churning up the Gulf. This broke up the algae bloom, essentially starving it.
