Red Tide Closes Shellfish Harvest In St. Johns County

By Mark Collins First Coast News

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) held a conference Friday with experts explaining the current state of red tide on the First Coast. Recently the bloom has shifted south into east central Florida but some indications show it may be moving north again. With the current technology is not possible to predict bloom duration. The FWRI has partners statewide to sample red tide. Samples are collected and shipped back to St. Petersburg for analysis. The results are posted each Friday around 5 pm. During active events, like what we have on our beaches, midweek updates are provided on Tuesdays. Reports are found here http://www.floridamarine.org/features/view_article.asp?id=8939

A study conducted in Jacksonville in 1999 showed people with lung problems or those with asthma are most susceptible to the red tide effects. Barbara Kirkpatrick, manager of the Environmental Health Program at the Mote Marine Laboratory said the study measured a difference in lung function after just 1 hour of breathing red tide air.

Jay Abbott, a fisheries and wildlife biologist with FWRI says red tides on Florida?s East Coast have occurred in 1972, 1977, 1987, 1999, and 2002. Red tides have occurred every month of the year and is most often in September especially in the Gulf where K brevis blooms. No deaths have ever been recorded from this specific type of harmful algae.

Florida Red Tide is a caused by a single cell plantlike organism that is always present in the Gulf. It is a natural phenomenon. It can?t be predicted. Toxin paralyzes fish gills so they can?t breathe. The cells in the plantlike algae called Karenia brevis breaks apart releasing toxin into water. Wind and wave action whips toxins into air.

Blooms are rare on the east coast and ours came from the Gulf of Mexico. Karenia brevis got caught in the Florida Loop current which was channeled into the Gulf Stream before getting blown ashore locally. .

Finfish are safe to eat as long as you stay away from non-muscle parts like internal organs. Whelks are not safe to eat. Cooking does not protect you from contaminated shellfish since heat fails to kill off the toxins.

Low salinity is harmful to the plantlike animals. Heavy rain will diminish K brevis in the intercoastal or partially enclosed water bodies. After the bloom fades and toxins disappear from the water, toxins will remain in shellfish for two weeks.

It?s best to listen to your body. If you cough it makes sense to find another beach that may not be as bad. AC reduces particulates and brings quick relief. Always check areas before recreationally harvesting shellfish. Commercial harvesters know about closed areas and so the food you eat in restaurants are safe. If you get sick or need information on symptoms call the Aquatic Toxins toll free hotline at 888-232-8635.

©2009 First Coast News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.