Hey Mackenzie! It is such a beautiful day at the beach today but what is that horrible smell?

Hi Natalie! That horrible smell is sadly Red Tide.

Red Tide is a naturally occurring algae, but the massive toxic bloom is most likely caused by human activity such as fertilization draining into the Gulf of Mexico.

What is Red Tide?

Did you know that Red Tides were documented in the southern Gulf of Mexico as far back as the 1700s?

Red Tides are found all over the world but the organisms that affect Florida's Red Tide are exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico. 

Even your pets can be affected by Red Tide. If your pet swims in water affected by Red Tide they can get seriously sick. 

How does Red Tide affect me?

Red Tide releases toxins into the air that can lead to respiratory irritation.

For people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions red tide can cause serious illness.

Did you know red tide blooms can last from days to weeks to over a year?

Are there anyways that I can help to reduce Red Tide blooms?

If you have a garden use native and climate-appropriate plants and landscaping that helps absorb rainwater to filter and reduce runoff.