Red Tide again detected at mid- and south county beaches, clearing in North Pinellas

MADEIRA BEACH — The smell of Red Tide's return had some beachgoers covering their noses Friday morning as dead fish turned up on the beach again, but yards away its presence was hardly noticed.

Though county officials have detected high cell counts of Red Tide algae spanning from Indian Rocks Beach to St. Pete Beach, the start of the 37th annual John's Pass Seafood Festival was not hampered as a steady stream of visitors meandered through the tents and stalls before noon on Friday.

"It's just about gone," Gary Pancoast, who attended the festival Friday morning, said. "I would have come anyway, unless it was super strong."

Kelli Levy, director of environmental management for Pinellas County, said the county has noticed high cell counts of algae that causes potentially harmful toxins consistent with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite images.

Currents and wind conditions have kept Red Tide close to shore, Levy said, and conditions are expected to create a rough weekend for Treasure Island and Madeira Beach.

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But while the mid-to-south county beach conditions have deteriorated, with discolored water, strong to mild odor, fish kills and respiratory irritation detected, beaches north of Indian Rocks have improved, she said.

"The good news is it's not as extensive as it was this time last week," Levy said.

Volunteers with the seafood festival, which started Thursday and lasts through Sunday, said the festival would go on.

Gail Gail, who lives in Redington Shores and volunteers at the festival every year, said so far, she hadn't seen an impact.

"I don't think it's impairing anyone today," she said. "It's a great day to be out here. I haven't heard any complaints so far."

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Gail said she lives on the water and thought the past week was pretty bad, but felt John's Pass had lucked out so far.

Barbara Bush volunteered at the Mad Beach Brewing stall and said she didn't think anyone seemed to be bothered.

"No impact whatsoever," she said. "Maybe a little sneeze now and then, but a lot of people are out."

Her sister-in-law, also Barbara Bush, lives near Englewood, which, along with northern Sarasota and parts of Manatee counties have also seen an increase in Red Tide. Both women spent Thursday on Madeira Beach.

"Here is better than most places," she said.

Levy advised those heading out to the beaches this weekend to check the county's website for advisories: pinellascounty.org/environment/watershed/red_tide/.

Contact Divya Kumar at dkumar@tampabay.com or . Follow @divyadivyadivya.