Miami-Dade beaches were reopening Friday, less than a day after some were closed over red tide concerns, while beaches in Broward remained open following results of water samples showing very low to low concentrations of algae.
Low concentrations of red tide are present at Dr. Von D. Mizell Eula Johnson State Park in Hollywood and Hallandale Beach, Broward County officials confirmed Friday. Very low concentrations were found at Deerfield, Pompano, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood Beaches, and red tide is not present/had background concentrations at Hillsboro and Dania beaches.
There are currently no beach closures in Broward County, however, the International Fishing Pier in Deerfield Beach will not allow angling and will be closed to the public, Mayor Bill Ganz said.
Click here for the FWC's interactive map of red tide's current status in the state.
On Thursday, Miami-Dade closed public beaches north of Haulover Inlet out of an abundance of caution after red tide was confirmed in the county. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said that after consulting with the FWC, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Florida Department of Health, he decided to reopen the beaches.
"Please bear in mind that the Florida Department of Health advises people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma, to avoid red tide areas. Swimming is safe for most people," Gimenez said in a statement.
The county will be placing signs on the beaches to warn residents and visitors about the potential health effects of red tide. Red tide can cause breathing problems in humans.
Red tide is caused by algae and is common on Florida's Gulf Coast. It was hit hard over the summer by an outbreak that caused a massive die-off of fish and other sea life. There have been 57 Gulf Coast outbreaks since 1953.
Red tide is uncommon on the state's Atlantic Coast, with only eight outbreaks since 1953. The last outbreak in Palm Beach County was 10 years ago.
The growing red tide crisis prompted Gov. Rick Scott to announce $3 million in state assistance from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties to help mitigate the effects of red tide.
For more information, check out the FWC's red tide information and status page.
