The Red Tide Report here in South West Florida Bradenton, Anna Maria Island. We have been actively fishing Clean Clear water here in Manatee County catching multiple species of fish Snapper, Sheepshead, Redfish, Snook just to name a few.
The reason I feel led to write about this topic is because I feel MANY people are mislead on a few things regarding the Topic "The Red Tide".
1) People are MIS-lead to believe that this should hinder them from traveling due to reports of the red tide, 2) People are also MIS-lead to believe ALL fish are dead and ALL the fish are poisoned therefore you can not eat them and finally 3) People are MIS-led to believe it is not a safe environment to be in.
To address all of these concerns, I am answering from the perspective a local USCG Captain that is on the water more than I am on land, the majority of my diet consist of the fresh fish caught here locally and I have carefully observed the Media posts, The actual effects the Red tide had on our Fishery and the Truths concerning the Red Tide.
There is NO doubt or argument the Red Tide has had a negative effect on our fishery. There has been necessary conservation actions taken to sustain our fishery for the coming years. I've personally noticed a huge improvement specifically in catching Redfish and Snook from the size to quantity even during the worst reports of the Red Tide here in Manatee County.
Now to address why I feel people are being mislead.
1) Travelers from all over are now fearful of traveling anywhere the Red Tide has been including here Anna Maria Island, FL. Instead of reaching out to locals like me they choose to listen to mainstream hype that frankly is mostly Misleading. Painting the picture of the harm the Red Tide "COULD" have rather than focusing on the "RARITY" of the Red Tide ever Harming a person.
2) People are also MIS-lead to believe ALL fish are dead and ALL the fish are poisoned therefore you can not EAT them. This also is NOT true Why? I'm glad you asked a) fish that are caught obviously were not harmed by the Red Tide, b) the fish that are killed from the Red Tide are not the ones you would be eating and finally c) The Red Tide only harms the Respiratory system of a fish if anything NOT the meat quality. I've seen multiple restaurants local and chain restaurants have big signs up "NOT LOCALLY CAUGHT" not because the quality of fish but because main stream media has blown it so far away from the truth and they just don't want to loose business. According to FWC the fish IS safe to eat as you can see HERE.
3) People are MIS-led to believe it is not a safe environment to be in. If you are looking for harm you will find it, My wife and 2 yr old daughter love to come boating the both were splashing in the water and I was pre-fishing Note: this was during the largest bloom and they were not harmed. Were they swimming around dead fish NO but the waters here have been swim-able fish-able clean and clear the majority of the time of the Red Tide Reports.
So, if you are wondering should you still travel to SW Florida this year to Vacation the answer is YES! If your wondering can we still eat the fish we catch while were there the answer is YES! And if your wondering if I can take you and your family on a Fishing trip worth remembering for a lifetime the answer is YES! BOOK NOW
