Red Tide IS NOT Back On Anna Maria Island
Not the way you think it is or how it’s being reported.
If we learned anything from the events of the red tide over last year, it’s that a lot of the media, folks on social media, and the public, in general, knew very little about what was happening or how the algae work.
From local news stations luring you in with clickbait titles to a random guy on Facebook posting a picture of the one dead fish he found on the beach, it piled together to cause a mass of panic that traveled well across the United States.
Now let us all agree that last years red tide event was one of our worst and longest, there’s no doubt about that. On the other hand, the fact that close to everyone on the planet has a camera in their pocket and can share anything they feel like, true or false about the conditions, makes it feel like it’s worse than it is.
Every county South of us had a more significant red tide event than we did here on Anna Maria. Also, many of those southern counties became very lax in their cleanup efforts which allowed thousands of the dead fish in their bays and along their coastline to travel into our area.
Let’s take a look at the latest reports from FWC: In the entire state of Florida, there was one location that tested for very low next to non-existent levels.
Before we go any farther, let's explain what very low to non-existent really means. Throughout the entire year, and since they’ve been testing the water for many years, it WILL ALWAYS test at that lowest level. Background traces are always in the water around the state and at times they vary a little higher and a little lower. This is not the mass of red tide bloom associated with the events of last year. Background to low levels IS NORMAL.
The red tide bloom that occurred last year and had major effects on the environment, businesses, and the community is not back.
Here at The Tide, we are dedicated to making sure you have the most up to date, reliable information directly from Anna Maria Island. We will be including photos and videos so you can see first hand what the waterways, bays, and coastline look like in our area.
Before you start sharing the news of another red tide event like last year, please make sure you have all the facts and we promise to bring them to you.
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