RED TIDE

When Southwest Florida is experiencing a red tide bloom, people with chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma or emphysema should avoid going to the beach as these illnesses may be aggravated.

What is Red Tide?

Red tide is a harmful algal bloom (HAB) that typically forms offshore and produces a toxin that can affect both marine life and humans. Once onshore, it can be exacerbated by human activities, including excessive use of plant fertilizers, littering, and an increasing amount of stormwater runoff from impervious areas. Reducing the use of fertilizers and increasing permeable surfaces can assist with combating red tide. More information regarding red tide can be found on Collier County’s website HERE.

What is the City doing to reduce red tide?

  • Stormwater code has been changed and adopted. The stormwater handbook provides regulations, standards, procedures, and requirements for implementing the stormwater ordinance. Check out the Stormwater Standards Handbook HERE.
  • The City has a fertilizer ordinance. The ordinance prohibits the use of Phosphorus, allows for limited Nitrogen content, and permits application only in the dry season. More information regarding fertilizer use and landscape maintenance can be found HERE.
  • Streets are regularly swept to remove debris. The City utilizes two street sweepers to collect and prevent debris from entering the stormwater system reducing organic nutrients from entering our waterways. 
  • The City promotes mangrove protection. Mangroves have many benefits including filtering runoff before it flows into nearby water bodies, protects the uplands against storm surge and erosion, and is vital habitat for many juvenile fish species. Mangroves can be trimmed and maintained for views and waterway access. Residents are encouraged to keep and nurture mangroves on their shoreline. More information regarding mangroves can be found HERE.
  • Lake restoration projects are underway. Lake maintenance is one of the best ways to reduce pollutants from stormwater before it discharges to Naples Bay or the Gulf of Mexico. The City has a lake management plan which includes restoration plans for many of the lakes throughout the next decade.
  • The City is removing large pipes on the beach that discharge untreated stormwater to the recreational shoreline. The City is designing a $25M project that will greatly improve water quality, reduce shoreline erosion, improve sea turtle habitat, and stop stormwater discharge where beach goers recreate.  
  • The City is restoring oyster reefs in Naples Bay. The City has created many new oyster reefs at two sites within Naples Bay and is awaiting funding for a third permitted site. Oysters improve water quality by filtering out nutrients and other pollutants. There can be over 1,000 oysters/square meter and one oyster can filter up to 50 gallons/day. 

What can you do?

  • Support changes to the City’s development code, as well as State and Federal laws.
  • Ensure your landscaper follows the Fertilizer Use and Maintenance of Landscapes regulations and monitor what happens in your neighborhood.
  • Download a red tide reporting app. Submit a Community Report on Mote Marine Laboratory's Beach Conditions Reporting System (BCRS) at https://visitbeaches.org/ or on the BCRS-Mote Marine Lab mobile app. Also check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's "FWC Reporter" app which allows beach goers to report any discolored water, fish kills, or other signs of red tide and the specific location. Two hotlines are also available to call: the Collier County Red Tide hotline at (239) 252-2591 or FWC's fish kill hotline (800) 636-0511.
  • Contact legislators. Mangroves are a state regulated tree which needs greater protection. Support efforts to strengthen protection measures for mangroves. 
  • Dispose of garbage and pet waste properly. Improperly disposed of trash and pet waste can end up in stormwater systems, which can eventually lead to our natural waterways. Pick up pet waste to prevent the release of harmful bacteria into waterways through stormwater runoff.
  • Donate to research/volunteer with a non-profit. There are several organizations that help combat red tide.
  • Choose your landscape well.  Florida-friendly/native plants that require little to no fertilizer or pesticides are best management practices (BMPs) that reduce nutrient runoff. 
  • Convert impervious areas on your property to permeable or porous areas. Another way to keep harmful chemicals from reaching the Gulf is by choosing porous surfaces, such as permeable brick pavers, porous pavements, and vegetated areas for your property. This increases absorption and percolation into the ground, therefore, decreasing stormwater runoff.

To report dead fish or red tide symptoms, please call Collier County Pollution Control at (239) 252-2502.

Collier County Red Tide updates are available on the Red Tide Hotline at (239) 252-2591.

For more information, visit Collier County’s Red Tide Main Page or Collier County Red Tide Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
To obtain Red Tide updates, sign-up to receive email notifications at https://www.CollierCountyFL.gov/Subscribe

FWC's Red Tide Current Status updates are available HERE.

To submit a fish kill report to FWC, call the Fish Kill Hotline at (800) 636-0511.

View conditions reports on Mote Marine Laboratory's Beach Conditions Reporting System (BCRS) at https://visitbeaches.org/.

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