The City of Sanibel’s Department of Natural Resources inspected Sanibel beaches this afternoon Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. Please read this article for the field report.

Today, the Lee County Health Department issued the following update on Red Tide:

Fish and Wildlife Cell Counts per L. of Karenia brevis. Report received today 11/4/2009. Samples collected 10/30/2009.

Boca Grand 10 nm SW of 26.7100 / -82.4200 = 5,609,300 cells/L

Sanibel Island 1.83 nm s of 26.3963 / -82.0804 = 5,413,300 cells/L

Sanibel Lighthouse = 15,000 cells/L

Sanibel Causeway = 44,000 cells/L

Note: At the Bonita Beach Dog Park, there is a report of ill dogs after swimming. Warning signs will be posted by Lee County Parks and Recreation Dept. There is a cell count of 2,268,000 cells/L south of Little Pine Island and Matlacha Island with fish kills.

Sanibel Beach Conditions Report

The City of Sanibel’s Department of Natural Resources inspected Sanibel beaches this morning, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009. The field report is below:

From the east end of Sanibel Island:

Bayside Beach from Buttonwood Lane to Point Ybel

Small dead fish, primarily grunts, were observed in the upper wrack line with approximately 1 fish every 3 feet. There were fewer dead fish in the lower wrack line along the water’s edge with approximately 1 fish every 10 feet. Overall, there were fewer fish observed today compared to yesterday. Slight respiratory symptoms (sore throat, shortness of breath, coughing) that are normally associated with red tide blooms were present.

Lighthouse Beach Park

A few dead fish, primarily grunts, were present in the upper wrack line with approximately 1 fish every 100 feet or more. There were no dead fish in the lower wrack line or along the waters edge. No respiratory irritation was noted.

Nerita St. to Donax St. Beach Accesses

This area has approximately 1 fish every 25 to 50 feet of beach. There were no dead fish visible in the water or in the surfzone and a majority of the fish were small grunts and mullet remaining on the beach from yesterday. There were a large number of worm tubes present along this stretch of beach and there was a strong odor associated with them. No respiratory irritation was noted.

Gulfside Park

A few dead fish were observed in the upper wrack line approximately 1 every 100 feet. There were no dead fish observed in the water or in the surfzone. A large number of worm tubes were present on the beach and in the surfzone that were producing a strong odor. No respiratory irritation was noted.

Tarpon Bay Road Beach Access to West Gulf Drive Beach Access No. 1

No evidence of red tide was observed from Tarpon Bay Beach access to West Gulf Access 1.

West Gulf Drive Beach Access No. 7

A few dead fish remained in the upper wrack line from yesterday, but no new dead fish were observed. No respiratory irritation was noted.

Bowman’s Beach west to Blind Pass

From Bowman’s Beach west to Blind Pass there were a few dead fish remaining from yesterday with no new dead fish observed in the water or on the beach. No respiratory irritation was noted.

For questions regarding today’s beach field report, please contact the City of Sanibel Natural Resources Department at 472-3700.

Source: City of Sanibel