Some residents of Fort Lauderdale – nicknamed the Venice of America – just want the smelly, slimy green toxic algal bloom to go away.
“It’s so beautiful here. It would be a shame to have it ruined by the green algae," resident Jim Bossingham said.
Florida has been grappling with one of the longest-lasting toxic algae bloom outbreaks in history. City of Fort Lauderdale officials reported the algal bloom to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Two different types of harmful algal bloom are affecting Florida's waters: red tide and a freshwater algae outbreak – known as blue-green algae – caused by fertilizer runoff, according to scientists.
The red tide is affecting the coasts of Florida, primarily along the Gulf of Mexico. Though red tide occurs naturally nearly every year, many environmental organizations argue that pollution has exacerbated the toxic algae bloom.
In August, Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in some counties due to the red tide outbreak that has killed wildlife and threatened public health.
The blue-green algae affecting Fort Lauderdale is also killing fish, according to residents.
"There were dead fish in there and it was smelly and this can’t be good," resident Lynne McGrath said.
Local
Officials warn that residents should avoid swimming near algal blooms and to keep pets away from the water. Residents are urged to avoid using fertilizer near waterways and to clean up pet waste.
“You know, it scares you. It’s like the red tide on the West Coast – what is this? And why doesn’t anybody seem to be that concerned about it?” Bossingham said. "If it’s killing the fish and they tell you not to let your animals near it or anything else, this can’t be good."
