The last major outbreak of the microorganism that tainted the turquoise Gulf waters lasted from October 2017 to February 2019. It killed countless sea creatures, including dolphins, sea turtles and manatees. While fish kills have been reported in Charlotte and Sarasota County recently due to red tide, no dead fish were found in Manatee as of Friday afternoon.
A sample taken just off Robinson Preserve showed a low presence of red tide, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the lead agency on red tide. Low concentrations can sometimes cause respiratory irritation, possible fish kills and halt the harvest of shellfish.