LTC 527-2018 Red Tide Update MIAMIBEACH
527-2018
NO. LTC # LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members o'the City C:mmission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: October 2, 2018 1
SUBJECT: Red Tide Update
Over the weekend, a number of beach communities in Palm Beach County closed their beaches due
to possible red tide. On Monday, sampling in Palm Beach County that was conducted in response to
red tide indicators came back positive. In Florida, red tide is caused by a naturally occurring
microscopic alga called Karenia brevis or K. brevis. While this microscopic alga is naturally
occurring, large concentrations called blooms, can change the water color and produce a toxin that
can affect the central nervous systems of fish, birds, mammals and other animals.
At this time, possible indicators of a red tide bloom have not been reported in Miami-Dade County.
Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, Environmental Resources
Management (DERM) collected samples today at four different transects, two of which are located in
Miami Beach. The sampling and analysis is being coordinated with the Fish and Wildlife Research
Institute. The results are anticipated by the end of the day on Thursday, October 4.
It should be noted that red tide has been documented in Florida since the 1840's and can be
transported around the Gulf of Mexico as coastal waters move with winds and currents. Some red
tides have even been carried by the Gulf Stream current into the Atlantic Ocean as far north as
Delaware. Since the early 1950's, red tide has been documented on the east coast nine times.
The Florida Department of Health (FDOH) is also monitoring the situation and the city is working with
our partners from the Southeast Florida Climate Change Compact (Compact) to stay in front of this
potential impact to our beaches.
The city will continue to coordinate with Miami-Dade County, FDOH and our Compact partners to
ensure we have the most current information available to you and our residents and businesses.
Beachgoers are encouraged to check conditions before they go to the beach as conditions can
change daily.
For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: MyFWC.com/RedTide
Red tide questions/health concerns?
Florida Poison Control Information Center at 1-800-222-1222
Current Beach Conditions: mote.org/beaches
Report Fish Kills: 800-636-0511 (FWC)
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Elizabeth Wheaton,
Environment and Sustainability Director.
SMT/ESW