Meaning of red tide as Naples beaches in Florida are on high alert in 2023
Matthew Perez
Published Apr 03, 2026
Dead fish were reportedly found on the beaches in Naples, Florida, affected by the red tide in the Gulf of Mexico in 2023.
While the people residing around beaches in Florida are warned against the toxins the water could contain, the growing freshwater crisis continues to threaten American cities.
Even though the water levels in Lake Mead and the Mississippi river have risen in 2023, the increase hasn’t reduced the drought percentage in these regions.
If you aren’t sure what red tide is, let us tell you.
What is red tide as seen on Naples beaches?
Red tide is a common term used for a harmful algal bloom. The phenomenon occurs when colonies of the aquatic plant grow out of control while producing toxins that cause harmful effects on living beings.
National Ocean Service notes, the illnesses caused by exposure to red tide can be deliberating or even fatal in humans.
The harmful algae blooms or HABs are said to occur every summer along the Gulf Coast of Mexico. In the presence of these plants, the water appears red, and the toxins produced by the microscopic algae can kill fish and make shellfish dangerous to eat.
The toxins are so powerful that some people experience difficulty breathing when closer to the beach, often resulting in bouts of cough.
Florida beaches are on high alert
The Department of Health in Collier County has reportedly issued red tide health alerts for several regions including Barefoot Beach State Preserve, Vanderbilt Beach, Seagate, Naples Pier, Keewaydin Island, and Doctors Pass.
The city crew spent Friday morning picking up dead fish that washed up on the beach due to the high toxin levels. And, people who live around the beaches or visited them during the red tide alert said they ended up coughing when they neared the water.
“We noticed that right when we got to the beach. We started coughing and kind of in waves, and I figured it was kind of a red tide because we’ve been here for that before,” said one resident of Boca Raton.
Precautions to follow
The health department has advised people to follow the below precautions to stay safe:
- Look for signs with information posted on most beaches.
- Maintain distance from water and do not swim in it if you see a dead fish.
- Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish or dead fish found in the affected regions. However, live ones are safe to eat as long as the guts are discarded and properly filleted.
- Make sure to wash your skin or clothes should you come in contact with the water.
- Do not let your pets or livestock go close to the water.
- People residing around the beach are advised to wear a mask if they are outdoors or keep their windows closed and make sure the A/C filter is maintained.
