Red tide: No-swim advisory issued for Longboat Key Beach

Sarasota County health officials on Thursday issued a no-swim advisory for Longboat Key Beach because of high bacteria levels found in water samples collected on Tuesday.

The beach remains open but wading, swimming and water recreation is not recommended as long as the advisory is in place. The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County expects to have the next round of test results available on Friday.

Officials say the bacteria is likely from decaying algae and numerous dead and decaying fish associated with red tide.

Testing found bacteria levels within acceptable limits at Venice Beach, South Lido Park Beach, Lido Casino Beach, Venice Pier Beach, Siesta Beach, North Lido Beach, Nokomis Beach, Casperson Beach, Bird Key Park, Brohard Beach, Blind Pass, Manasota Key Beach, Turtle Beach, Service Club Beach and North Jetty Beach.

For more information visit ourgulfenvironment.scgov.net and click on water monitoring and then bacterial testing to check beach water testing results of area Gulf beaches; call 941-BEACHES (941-232-2437); or visit visitbeaches.org. Click on the same link to the mobile-friendly version of the beach conditions report.

Read more: Complete coverage of red tide in Southwest Florida

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