After hauling away nearly 1,000 tons of dead fish, Pinellas County sees Red Tide scourge easing
By Sara DiNatale
Tampa Bay Times
Published: Oct 17, 2018

Pinellas County is nearing 1,000 tons of total collected dead fish since Red Tide exploded into the Gulf coast last month. But based on an update to local tourism officials Wednesday, the smelly situation has improved. <{P>"We are in a good place with winds and currents," Pinellas environmental management director Kelli Hammer Levy told the Tourism Development Council during its monthly meeting. "Overall, much better than they were just after Hurricane Michael."

Red Tide is back on Pinellas beaches. Hurricane Michael's winds bring dead fish, odors back to shore

Go here for more Business News The county thought the hurricane might push Red Tide away. But as the storm headed toward the Panhandle, it changed wind and current patterns bringing more dead fish toward the shoreline.

After Michael alone, Pinellas County hauled away 165 tons of dead fish. In just under a month, the county has spent about $2 million to clear its shorelines.

Phil Henderson, council member the head of StarLite Cruises, applauded Levy's planning and efforts to keep the bulk of the dead fish offshore.

"As someone who makes money on the water," Henderson said during the meeting, "(I've noticed) reduced effects by 75 percent.

He said that often leaves his passengers with a lessened exposure to the rancid odor and related respiratory problems than "what normally happens."

Visit St. Pete-Clearwater has yet to receive room occupancy reports from hotels that will show how the tourism industry fared once Red Tide first hit last month. CEO David Downing said he expects an impact on hotel and bed tax revenue given what other Florida counties affected earlier have reported. SARA DINATALE

Retail, Tourism and Workplace Culture Reporter