Red Tide on Dead Fish Beach

Hoagen Key

This probably hasn't been our most beautiful campsite. The overwhelming smell of dead fish greeted us the minute we stepped on shore. As we looked around for a suitable place to pitch the tent, we saw hundreds of fish skeletons scattered under the tall trees. There was another tent pitched on the small island. Could it be their trash pile? No, the skeletons were too yellow with age. The answer came as we saw the buzzards and osprey circling overhead. This must be their chosen spot to eat their meals.

We had seen the signs of Red Tide on the paddle to the island. The water was a reddish brown color and there were a large number of dead, floating fish. Some of the water that splashed up when we dipped the paddles in the water was so thick with algae that it was like slime. In the morning many of those fish has drifted to shore with the tide. The smell of the tide combined with the smell of the rotting fish and skeletons was unpleasant to say the least.

Red Tide or HAB (harmful algal bloom) is a common occurrence in Florida. It starts 10-40 miles from shore, in waters further out than those affected by human pollutants. Man does not start the bloom, but fertilizer runoff and other pollutants can feed it as it moves towards shore. The algal tide produces neurotoxins that kill massive amounts of fish. It can also affect seabirds, mammals and other marine animals.

We muse on the circle of life. The scavenger birds are abundant and they feed on the fish. Pelicans, seagulls and buzzards each select the tastiest morsels. Apparently unaffected by the toxins, perhaps their populations can increase.

The red tide is slowly spreading south. We saw the first dead fish as we entered Sarasota Bay, forty miles and four days ago. As we leave camp, we hope that we will be able to outrun it.

Today's paddle is a short 6 miles into Cayo Costa, an outer island of Charlotte Harbor. We read that the crossing can be hazardous if the wind picks up during the crossing. To our pleasure, the paddle is uneventful. As we reach shore we see many people on the beach birdwatching and looking for shells.

One couple is photographing the flocks of pelicans. I fantasize that it would be idyllic if it were Pat and Roger there to greet us. By happy coincidence it is! What a great welcoming party and a happy ending to part one of the journey.

Let part two begin as we paddle the remainder of the coast with our friends.