Studying how highest levels of red tide affect people along SWFL coast Published: January 1, 2021 5:23 PM EST Updated: January 2, 2021 10:42 PM EST Recommended A recent map show the highest levels of red tide along Southwest Florida’s coast. But more research needs to be done to know just how it affects air quality and humans. The last month of 2020 saw dead fish and high levels of red tide sprinkled across SWFL beaches. Pilot Ralph Arwood with Lighthawk Conservation Flying shared video he shot on New Year’s Eve of dozens of dead fish on the Naples shore. RED TIDE MAP “You knew with that out there, the fish just couldn’t get away from it, so it really wasn’t a surprise that they’ve started to wash in,” Arwood said.