Manatee County announces plans to expand red tide cleanup through vendor assistance
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Aug. 17, 2018) – Manatee County today announced plans to expand its red tide cleanup becoming one of Florida's first Gulf Coast counties to extend efforts to smaller canals and waterways where fish have begun to foul local waters.
Over the weekend, the County and its contractor will survey local waterways to evaluate the areas needing cleanup and to form an action plan. The vendor will begin cleaning the most affected areas on Monday. Due to the small maneuvering space in the canals, the cleaning must be done with nets and boats by hand. County Administrator Ed Hunzeker made the announcement with three County Commissioners and several department directors involved in the effort on hand. “We’re taking up the challenge to try to remedy the fish kill situation taking place as result of red tide,” Hunzeker said. “We’re going to get into the canals, waterways and channels both on the mainland, the Island and Longboat Key to pick up the maximum fish we can in the shortest amount of time.
”Manatee County Parks and Property Maintenance crews have cleaned public beaches and parks in Anna Maria since the first signs of red tide last week. To date 151 tons of red tide-related waste has been removed from public beaches and parks.
Beginning today, a red tide hotline will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week as conditions persist. Residents can call with questions about red tide and the cleanup operations. The red tide hotline number is (941) 749-3547.More details will be available during a red tide update to Commissioners on Tuesday.
The County’s public resource for updates on these cleanup efforts are posted daily at www.mymanatee.org/redtide.
There people can get the latest beach conditions, a list of health and safety resources from state agencies and an update on cleanup within residential canals and waterways. “We’re not going to be able to get every fish,” said Parks and Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker.
“Homeowners and associations may want to continue to work with local fisherman for a more thorough cleaning of any remaining fish.”For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter, @ManateeGov.