Thursday, August 16, 2007
Report recommends reconvening task force on red tide research
Daily News staff
http://www.bonitanews.com/news/2007/aug/16/report_recommends_reconvening_task_force_red_tide_/
A Sarasota-based institute issued a report this morning that recommends reconvening a dormant task force on red tide research.
The task force could help assure frustrated coastal communities that red tide research is on the right track and is asking the right questions about the causes of the toxic algae blooms, according to the report by Marine Policy Institute at Mote Marine Laboratory.
At the same time, the report calls for scientists, policymakers and the public to “move beyond polarized debate” about the causes of red tide and instead find ways to reduce coastal pollution and respond to red tide outbreaks.
The microscopic bloom of toxic algae has become more prevalent along the Southwest Florida coasts, causing dead fish to foul beaches and causing human respiratory problems.
The Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force, first organized in 1997, included representatives from government, universities, businesses and citizens.
In 1999, the state Legislature charged the group with reviewing red tide monitoring programs and developing research priorities. It issued its only report in 1999.
The report released today recaps scientific knowledge about the causes of red tide, its consequences and how to prevent or control it.
As for the politically charged question of what causes red tide, the report walks a fine line between evidence that blooms start offshore and concerns that coastal pollution fuels the toxic blooms.
“Conclusive evidence remains elusive but Florida needs to act now,” the report states.
The full report is available at www.mote.org/mpi.
© 2007 Bonita Daily News and The Banner. Published in Bonita Springs, Florida, USA by the E.W. Scripps Co.