A toxic algae bloom known as a red tide has been killing fish along the Gulf Coast and southern Florida, kicking up the stench of decay. The ocean breeze can carry a toxin released by the red tide ashore, which can cause health problems for people including coughing, irritated throat and itchy eyes. A recent red tide map shows that red tide is present in beach locations north of the Tampa Bay area to points south of Naples. The algae occurs naturally and is not new to coastal areas, but professors at Florida Gulf Coast University are looking into whether pollution is making the blooms worse. Scientists are tracking a 5,000-mile-wide patchwork of seaweed clumps in the Atlantic that is making its way toward the Caribbean and Mexico, as well as Florida beaches.

Source: Fox News March 17, 2023 20:25 UTC