By Jeniana Willner, Audubon Florida’s Write for Climate program
The Tampa Bay estuary is absolutely essential to our regional economy, producing $32.1 billion annually. What do you love about living in Tampa Bay — fishing, birds, the beach? That is all suffering under a mismanaged red tide, and so is our economy.
Even very low levels of the algae causing red tide (K. brevis) can cause respiratory irritation and the closure of shellfish stocks. As the levels go up, fish, dolphins and manatees begin to die, and the water becomes discolored and dangerous to swim in.
What does this mean for Tampa Bay residents? Millions of dollars are lost every year that would go to local fishers, restaurants, hotels and more.
Every single Tampa Bay resident is connected to the bay, and we rely on it. If we abandon it, letting the red tide grow wild, we are abandoning the region we love. So, what can be done?
Red tide is most commonly triggered by nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into the water from fertilizer, sewage and industrial waste, causing K. brevis to bloom out of control. The Florida Legislature must act in Tampa Bay’s best interest and continue the Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative. The initiative deploys tested methods to mitigate the effects of red tide.
On the federal level, it is imperative that Congress supports Florida Reps. Vern Buchanan and Darren Soto’s Protecting Local Communities from Harmful Algal Blooms Act. Protecting Tampa Bay means fighting red tide, head on.
Jeniana Willner is a rising senior at Eckerd College studying environmental studies and Mandarin Chinese. This piece was written for Audubon Florida’s Write for Climate program. Banner photo: The sun sets behind the Sunshine Skyway bridge over Tampa Bay (iStock image).
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