Red tide is a harmful algal bloom (HAB) that typically forms offshore and produces a toxin that can affect both marine life and humans. Once onshore, it can be exacerbated by human activities, including excessive use of plant fertilizers, littering, and an increasing amount of stormwater runoff from impervious areas.   Red tide returned to Collier County on December 7, 2020 with mostly medium and high concentrations after being absent for 366 days. The City coordinates closely with Collier County during these bloom events as the County is the repository for red ride data, dead fish and respiratory irritation reports from the public and staff. The County samples the beaches twice a week and distributes the data results to City staff and any public that wishes to receive it. There is also coordination regarding contractors that can be utilized to do Bay cleanup of dead fish. This week the City hired a contractor to cleanup Venetian Bay, Moorings Bay, and the canals in Aqualane Shores where dead fish had accumulated after several tidal cycles. The City of Naples also rakes the beaches daily during red tide bloom events. For more information, please visit the City of Naples Red Tide Page, Collier County’s Red Tide Main Page, or Collier County Red Tide Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). To obtain red tide updates from Collier County, sign-up to receive email notifications at https://www.CollierCountyFL.gov/Subscribe