Red tide levels increasing, report says

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - Friday’s red tide report from Sarasota County reports debris removal efforts are underway and continuing levels of red tide in water samples.

Raking of beach debris, including dead fish and seaweed, was being conducted Friday on Siesta Key, Lido Key, South Lido and Turtle Beach, the report said. Staff reported mostly moderate respiratory irritation and minor marine debris.

Red Tide beach cleanup operations are underway on public beach areas and access points. Since clean-up operations began on Aug. 4, the county has removed approximately 12 tons of marine debris.

Elevated counts of red tide from water samples prompted the Florida Department of health to adjust signs to indicate red tide is present. Those beaches include: