Florida Gulf Coast University trying to secure more than $9 million to study red tide

FORT MYERS – Florida Gulf Coast University is hoping to secure more than $9 million from the state so it can launch a multidisciplinary research initiative that will focus on red tide.

"We want red tide to be the first in a series of commitments on water issues, but we know there is a certain economic, ecological and political urgency to red tide," FGCU President Mike Martin said. "We have got ... people of means and influences attention, so we are going to jump on that one first."

Red tide and blue-green algae infected waterways in Southwest Florida and other parts of the state last year, killing marine life and deterring tourists from visiting beaches. The crisis is one of the reasons why FGCU wants the funding for its proposed project.