The waters off Pinellas County are under surveillance by the county officials and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), who have reported finding varying levels of red tide in recent samples. According to Pinellas County's official release, concentrations range from low at the locales of Pass-a-Grille, Clearwater Intracoastal Waterway, and Honeymoon Island to medium at St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, and Dunedin Causeway.
Pinellas County residents are on alert as Red Tide, possibly worsened by Hurricane Helene, may cause respiratory issues, especially with onshore winds. The county has not linked the hurricane to the Red Tide or given a forecast for when conditions will improve.
The additional nuisance of Red Tide is a concern for health and safety. Residents who encounter the effects of Red Tide or come across fish kills are encouraged to report these events. The FWC has made it possible for citizens to file such reports either through their website at MyFWC.com/ReportFishKill or by calling the designated hotline at 800-636-0511.
Locals can manage minor Red Tide impacts by using a skimmer to remove dead fish near boat docks and disposing of them with regular trash. The county and FWC are monitoring the situation, and residents are encouraged to stay informed and reduce their exposure.