Red tide is currently blanketing the Southwest Florida coast. It is naturally occuring and comes from a sea-faring algae, formally known as the single-cell Karenia brevis. The algae produces a toxin as a defense mechanism, which can cause respiratory symptoms in people and kill fish. Algae levels from Tampa Bay south to Marco Island range from around 10,000 cells per liter to more than 1 million cells per liter, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Fish kills and breathing issues in humans can start when levels reach 10,000 cells per liter, according to the FWC. #redtide #florida