ARE RED TIDES PREDICTABLE?
Not yet but the Red Tide Alliance (www.redtideonline.com) is working on it! Both Mote Marine and Florida Marine Research Institute (FMRI) take samples of water off the gulf coast searching for red tide and report it weekly on the FRMI web site, www.floridamarine.org. The Red Tide Alliance hopes that the predictability of red tide will be accomplished through further research depending upon continued funding from the public/private sector. IS IT SAFE TO SWIM DURING A RED TIDE? Yes, for most people. However, for some people red tide can cause skin irritation and burning eyes. Use common sense – if you are particularly susceptible to irritation from plant products, avoid red tide water. If you experience irritation, get out and thoroughly wash off. Do not swim among dead fish because they can be associated with harmful bacteria. HOW IS RED TIDE RELATED TO RESPITORY IRRITATION? People experience respiratory irritation (coughing, sneezing and tearing) when red tide organism (Karenia brevis)
