Local

‘A lot of dead fish’: Beach visitors in Southwest Florida deal with red tide conditions

NAPLES, Fla. — If you’re planning a beach trip to Southwest Florida this week, make sure you check the conditions first.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Beach communities in Southwest Florida are dealing with red tide.

Dead fish have been seen on Naples Beach and the toxins make breathing difficult.

Read: ‘Huge’ bloom of seaweed looms in the Atlantic, likely headed to Florida beaches

Beach visitors said they were not expecting to see so many dead fish along the shore.

“A lot of dead fish, a lot of dead fish,” one beachgoer said.

Read: 9 facts about sargassum, that smelly brown algae washing ashore in Florida

The red tide organism produces brevetoxins that affect the central nervous system in fish.

Waves then release those toxins into the air.

Read: Wildlife crews using artificial intelligence to help track sea turtle population

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.