ST. PETERSBURG (970 WFLA) -- The latest report on the red tide outbreak in the Gulf is out, and it appears the effects of the bloom have crept northward.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commisison says that respiratory irritation was reported from Thursday (8/8) through Tuesday (8/14) at Pass-a-Grille, the southern tip of Pinellas' barrier islands. Irritation continues to be reported from Manatee south to the northern tip of Collier County.
The Mote Marine Lab network even picked up a background concentration of red tide in Santa Rosa County, in the far Panhandle. High concentrations are reported from Manatee to Collier counties, and low concentrations in Monroe County.
Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in seven counties earlier this week. Now the city of Sarasota has declared its own emergency, allowing city and county to work together on cleaning up tons of dead fish. The governor has also announced the availability of bridge loans for businesses affected by red tide.
Mote Marine Lab says it's continuing to test its patented process to remove red tide from seawater, at a canal in Boca Grande.