Red Tide occurs every summer along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Referred to as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), it is caused by microscopic algae that turn the water red and produce toxins that kill fish or make them inedible. The toxins may also make the surrounding air difficult to breathe. The Harmful Algal Blooms are a national concern because they affect the health of not only people and marine ecosystems, but also the local and regional economies. Not all Algal Blooms are harmful; some are beneficial because the tiny plants are food for animals in the ocean. Scientists are working to detect and forecast the location of the blooms.
Red Tide
