Page 67 - Panama City Living Magazine September-October 2019

While the juvenile redfish were not tagged when they were released at Port St. Joe, if you catch a tagged fish in Florida waters, call: 1-800-367-4461.
Record the capture information:
• Tag number, fish length, specific catch location.
• Note any unusual circumstances regarding the catch.
• When releasing a tagged fish, do NOT remove the streamer tag.
(Repeat captures of the same fish are not uncommon.)
• If the fish is harvested, please return the tag to the address below.
• When releasing a largemouth bass for cash reward in Florida wa-
ters, cut the tag close to the body wall and return the tag to FWC.
Or send and email to tagreturn@MyFWC.com or submit the capture report to the mailing address:
Stock Enhancement Research Facility
14495 Harllee Road
Port Manatee, FL 34221
OBSERVE CURRENT FISHING REGULATIONS
To view the most current saltwater fishing regulations for the state of Florida, visit MyFWC.com
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WHAT IS RED TIDE?
Red tide is nothing new. It is a natural occurrence that Spanish explorers talked about seeing in Florida in the 1500s. In recent years, red tide has been a newsmaker with fish kills and beach closings. Studies suggest climate change and the increase of nutrients in the water are to blame for increased incidents. In short, it is getting warmer and we are dumping more pollution into our water.
Red tide starts with microscopic algae that float through the ocean. Even though you can’t see them, the algae are an essential part of ocean life that takes light from the sun and converts it into fuel. When the algae encounters excess nutrients it multiplies quickly and becomes a mass known as “red tide.” As it grows, it smothers any ocean life in its way.
Sven Kranz, assistant professor of oceanography at Florida State University, says red tide is basically a floating passenger in the ocean, pushed along with the tide and the currents, even the surface winds. “Wherever the water mass travels, the red tide will go,” he says.
Some algae species, like Karenia brevis, tint the ocean surface a deep red color, which is where red tide gets its name. Many other species are brown, and some don’t become dense enough to color the water.
Red tide is not only harmful to fish and marine life, it can produce toxins that become airborne and affect humans, birds, and other animals. In past outbreaks, red tide has been blamed for killing manatees, 149 in 1996. Between 1987 and 1988, it killed 740 bottlenose dolphins that had eaten fish contaminated with red tide.
- Information compiled from the Smithsonian’s website, ocean. si.edu and an interview with Dr. Sven Kranz, assistant professor of oceanography, Florida State University