Sarasota County Red Tide Update, Aug. 19

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) staff continue to monitor and assess public beaches and access points for seaweed accumulation and red tide impacts. See below for today’s conditions report:

THURSDAY, AUG. 19

Red Tide is present at all 16 beaches in Sarasota County, and patrons will see red tide notification signs posted. Today, PRNR staff evaluated public beaches and access points, reporting mostly minor to no respiration irritation, and minor to moderate marine debris. Red Tide beach cleanup operations are planned for Blind Pass Beach today.

In combination with the county’s red tide beach cleaning and operations conducted by the City of Venice and the City of Sarasota, over 64 tons of marine debris have been removed since Aug. 4.

County staff will continue to monitor and evaluate public beaches and access points each morning to determine if conditions meet the beach cleaning policy threshold. Regular beach combing take place Monday, Wednesday and Friday on Siesta Beach, and Thursday on Lido Beach.

Community members are encouraged to register for the Red Tide Newsletter by clicking the red button on the top right of scgov.net/redtide, check daily beach conditions at visitbeaches.org, or click here to view the daily Red Tide status report.