Sarasota News Leader

02/22/2013

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ASK OTUS go elsewhere, however, if red tide conditions exist. For this reason, the very mention of red tide is pas comme il faut, if not outright taboo. It was even reported that some unscruRED TIDE HAS A LONG HISTORY IN pulous rental agents will advise prospective FLORIDA, THOUGH PEOPLE STILL tourists of a red tide disturbance only if the SEEM FAR TOO IGNORANT OF ITS tourist specifically enquires about it. Hard to believe, is it not? CAPACITY TO HARM THEM Dear Readers, So, as long as no one wants to talk about it, here goes! Last month an outbreak of red tide made its way onto the beaches of Siesta Key, leaving a When red tide overwhelms our fair isle, many carpet of dead fish in its wake. Thankfully, this people (and I shan���t name names) advise emulating the ostrich by burying one���s head in the disturbance was mild and brief. sand and ignoring the problem. Unfortunately, Red tide is of concern to public health offi- rotting fish will have washed up on the beach cials, scientists and business people. Siesta first, blanketing the sand and leaving no patch Key���s economic well-being depends on tour- of ground into which red tide Pollyannas can ism during high season. Tourists are likely to dig themselves. Turkey vultures dine alfresco on Turtle Beach during the recent red tide outbreak. File photo

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