A no-swim advisory remains in effect today for Turtle Beach on Siesta Key’s south end.
On Thursday, Aug. 5, unacceptable levels of bacteria were determined by the Sarasota County Health Department. Other areas placed under the advisory that day were Longboat Key, Bird Key Park/Ringling Causeway, Nokomis Beach, Brohard Beach, Caserperson Beach, Manasota Key, and Blind Pass.
Venice Beach and Venice Pier have since been added to that list, while the advisories on Longboat Key, Brohard Beach, and Casperson Beach have been lifted thanks to an acceptable test on Monday, Aug. 9.
North Lido Beach was the first location to receive a no-swim advisory in late July. It has since been lifted.
Meanwhile, all 16 Sarasota County beaches remain under a red tide warning. On the evening of Aug. 5, the county reported it had removed more than 12 tons of debris from the combined shorelines.
Siesta Beach has managed to avoid the no-swim advisory despite significant fish kills. On Aug. 5, fish-collecting machinery traveled the beach, with hand-raking measures following on the next day. Dumpsters for debris collection have been placed at Beach Access 5 and Beach Access 7 for both county and private cleanup efforts.
Siesta Key has had red tide signage posted since July 13.
Visit scgov.net/redtide for updates.
Author: John Morton
- Tags: red tide, Turtle Beach