By Sade Gardner

Photos of thousands of dead fish, eels and sting rays on the shoreline of Florida have been circulating on social media, bringing attention to the ongoing red tide issue that has plagued the state for many years. Red tide, widely known as algae blooms, is caused by an increase in the dinoflagellates algae in the ocean which threaten the lives of sea creatures. One such algae, the Karenia Brevis, colours the ocean a deep red which explains the name red tide.

While dinoflagellates are essential in providing food for ocean life, an excess of the algae can be harmful to the environment and humans. The excess can be caused when natural nutrients or fertiliser and excrement from livestock flow down rivers from inland areas, causing the algae to proliferate when they get to the ocean.

The red tide has reportedly affected tourism as visitors have been cutting their vacation short or cancelling altogether as no one wants to get a sun tan adjacent to dead fish. More so, waterfront residents have reported respiratory problems linked to toxins released by the harmful algae blooms, another reason for tourists marking Florida from their ideal destination list. This decline in visitors undoubtedly affects Florida’s economy and business owners who also see a decrease in customers.

While Jamaica does not suffer from the red tide, we also face a similar plight with our coastline which can be remedied if we all work together. The St Catherine-based Hellshire Beach is a victim of coastal erosion and its shoreline is fastly disappearing each day.

Environmentalists say this is as a result of deteriorated coral reefs offshore as a result of climate change, pollution and the fishing of the parrot fish which overtime erodes the sand as the water comes inland.

Fishermen have been accused of gutting fish in the water, which has overtime created excess algae, killing the coral reefs. Warmer temperatures also aid in the beach’s disappearance, due to the growing issue of climate change.

Environmentalists have been advocating for the ban of the parrot fish, as the fish helps to clean coral reefs by eating the excess algae and excrete sand but the this has not yet actualised.

Like Florida, Hellshire’s tourism is being affected by the coastal issue as tourists have no beach to go to when they visit the popular attraction. Once you step into any fish shop, you are greeted immediately by the sun and sea, there is no sand. Shop owners have further confirmed a decline in visitors due to the disappearing coast and are calling on the help of the government to assist as some of them have been stationed at the Hellshire Beach for years which is how they earn a living.

In addition to the economic concerns, the erosion of Hellshire Beach also affects the environment as coral reefs contain some of the most diverse ecosystems, providing a habitat for various marine life to nourish before venturing off into the sea.  Coral reefs are also essential as they are a source of nitrogen and other nutrients needed in the marine food chain.

While the issues affecting Florida’s coastline and Jamaica’s coastline have differences, the stories both highlight the importance humans play in the deterioration of the environment. Even though the red tide can be caused by natural nutrients in the soil, we can also help to mitigate the problem by better handling watersheds to reduce nutrients or chemical substances which flow into rivers. People can also report sightings of dead fish on shorelines or even observations of discoloured water to the relevant authorities so an investigation can be made.

With regards to Hellshire Beach, Jamaicans also play a role as fishermen can be conscientious in saving the environment by finding other fish besides the parrot fish to catch and sell. More over, fishermen and visitors should refrain from polluting the sea as a way to prevent the birth of excess algae which eats away the coral reef.