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2009-12-23 19:31:48 - Biological Hazard - USA EDIS CODE: BH-20091223-24285-USA
Date & Time: 2009-12-23 19:31:48 [UTC]
Area: USA, State of Florida, Marco Island, Not confirmed information! Description: Water quality samples taken Tuesday indicate medium concentrations of red tide about 20 miles south of Marco Island, according to a report from Collier County Pollution Control and Prevention Department. Medium levels of red tide are enough to cause respiratory irritation and fish kills, but monitors have not received any reports of problems in Collier County. The samples were collected near Pavilion Key in Ten Thousand Islands, reported Rhonda Watkins of the Collier County Pollution Control Department. The direction of the bloom is not currently known. “Unfortunately, the satellite imagery from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is not working so I have no idea where this bloom might be going in the next week,” Watkins said. City of Marco Island's Environmental Specialist Nancy Richie added: “The winds are pretty strong from the north so we may luck out and not have a New Year’s fish kill.” People with severe respiratory problems should avoid red tide areas. Richie noted that samples taken from waters immediately surrounding Marco Island did not have Karenia brevis, or red tide. “We will have staff available for sampling, red tide updates and fish kill clean-up coordination calls,“ Watkins said. Richie added these pointers regarding red tide:
-All seafood from restaurants and hotels is monitored and is safe to eat.
-Avoid eating clams and oysters taken from red tide waters.
-Red tide symptoms are coughing, sneezing and watery eyes
The name of Hazard: Red Tide
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