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Reasons Are Unclear, But Red Tide's Absence Has Been Welcome

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By FRANK SARGEANT | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 13, 2008

Knock on wood. Let us whistle past the graveyard. We have dodged the bullet.

I really hate to mention it, but red tide has been conspicuously absent along the West Coast for the past year or so. This after the worst red tide in memory struck more or less continuously from late 2004 through much of 2006, killing literally tens of millions of fish between Tampa Bay and Naples.

Theories of why we get the killer algae blooms some times and not at others abound among boaters, anglers and scientists. Basically, the scientists conclude a combination of wind, currents, weather and nutrients in the water combine on occasion to accelerate growth of the tiny plants and bring them ashore, where we see the result in the tell-tale red tide tingle in the nose and throat, soon followed by the stench of dying sea life.

In fact, red tide has been recognized in areas where it was not known before during the past few years, including off the shores of Texas, the Panhandle and east coast of Florida and as far north as the Carolinas. Increasing nutrient loads and warmer water temperatures are generally considered the cause.

But the absence in our area has been somewhat puzzling. It has been a long time since we had a period of more than a year without red tide along the southwest coast, which historically has been the only area where red tide is a common occurrence. Some theorize that low rainfall in recent years has spared us.

The last major kill, which ran well into winter of 2006, was a disaster for sensitive species like sea trout, and for some time anglers in the worst areas, including most of Tampa Bay, caught almost no trout.

But when the tide ended, the water became glass clear, the bait soon returned, and it appears that trout and other species had one of the best spawns in many years. As a result, there are again abundant trout populations here, though the average size is reduced; it will take another year or two without a killer tide until we start to see the numerous big fish that were here before the last kill.

Some anglers believe shrimp populations thrived during the red tide years because shrimp are not affected by the algae. The predator fish died off and the shrimp numbers, many observers say, went up. As a result, when new fish were spawned, they had a food-rich environment that promoted survival and rapid growth.

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg and the University of South Florida set up a Center for the Prediction of Red Tides in November, which will use satellite imagery and other sources to give advance notice of where and when red tides are likely to occur. Doing anything to stop them does not seem possible with the current science available, however. Visit http://research.My-

FWC.com/redtide for details.

In the meantime, let us keep our fingers crossed. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

DISPOSE OF LINE PROPERLY: The program of the Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful organization in placing line collection tubes at many boat ramps around the county should be supported and assisted by all anglers - discarded line traps and kills all sorts of creatures for years after its disposal.

With many anglers changing from monofilament lines to microfiber in the past five years, discarded line can be even more of a threat. Microfiber is just as durable as mono, but it's far stronger and more likely to cut the flesh of any creature it entangles.

Fortunately, the microfiber has a far longer life span on the spool than mono, lasting 6 to 10 times as long before it needs replacement. So hopefully there will be far less of it discarded as more anglers switch over for superior casting and strength.

But whatever type of line you use, it should never go over the side or be left on a dock; it takes only a few seconds to dispose of it properly and prevent some creature from being injured or dying.

BOATING MEETING: The Apollo Beach Sail and Power Squadron meets Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Lutheran Hall, 5309 U.S. 41 N. in Apollo Beach. The club hosts frequent cruises, also offers in-depth boating safety classes. Call (813) 785-5086.

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