Water quality roundtable attracts experts from around the Suncoast
SARASOTA – In the wake of a massive red tide outbreak, key stakeholders in the state of water quality in Sarasota Bay met at a roundtable Monday hosted by U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.
“Red tide has wreaked havoc on marine life, our waters and the many businesses that rely on Florida’s tourism-based economy,” Buchanan was quoted in a news release.
The Suncoast is currently experiencing severe levels of red tide, which is caused by toxin-producing algae that is extremely deadly to fish and other marine life.
Those in attendance included:
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Adam Blalock, Deputy Secretary for Ecosystems Restoration, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
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Dr. Thomas Frazer, Dean of the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida
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Ed Sherwood, Executive Director, Tampa Bay Estuary Program
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Dr. Dave Tomasko, Executive Director, Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
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Dr. Michael Mullan, Executive Director, Roskamp Institute
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Jeff Sedacca, Advisor, Gulf Shellfish Institute
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Elliot Falcione, Executive Director, Visit Manatee
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Erin Duggan, Vice President, Visit Sarasota