JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Duval County has issued a health alert for red tide near Ft. George Inlet.
They’re asking people to stay away from this location.
We went to the area and asked residents if they knew about the warning.
“No, I did not know that,” said Ruben Perry. He’s retired, fishes here often, and says when he hears Red Tide, he knows to stay away.
“I usually don’t fish in that area and definitely don’t eat the fish,” Perry said.
The Florida Health Department in Duval County says after a water test conducted last week, they found the presence of Red Tide. It’s caused by a high concentration of toxin-producing algae found in the Gulf of Mexico.
It usually forms naturally in the late summer or early fall.
Perry says he’s seen it before.
“Red Tide’s a bad poisoning in the ocean,” Perry said.
The Health department says it can be harmful to humans, pets, fish, and wildlife. They say you shouldn’t swim in water where there’s a warning, wash your hands or skin if you’ve made recent contact and if you live in the area, close your windows and run the AC. You should not eat dead fish from that area. If finfish are caught alive, they’re safe as long as you filet them and throw out the guts.
“You don’t want that in your body. I don’t,” Perry said.
Clear signs of red tide would be when you see a reddish hue in the water.
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