Red Tide – Levels HIGH & Cleanup Efforts Update

Red tide conditions are currently at high levels in the City of Naples and Collier County. The impacts of red tide, especially with onshore winds, include respiratory irritation and dead fish coming ashore on beaches and in the inland waterways. Cleanup efforts of the inland bays began Friday, March 3rd with the use of two boats with multi-person crews on each boat. Due to the various sizes of dead fish, crews are having to remove the fish using hand nets and hooks. As winds continue from the west, red tide conditions have worsened and have pushed more dead fish into the bays. The City’s contractor has acquired two additional boats and crews to assist with the cleanup of the bays for a total of four boats dedicated to cleanup efforts. The contractor’s crews are currently working in Venetian Bay and Moorings Bay.

Boaters should be alert for the contractor and cleanup efforts. Please be courteous of wake where workers are present.

The City of Naples understands the dead fish are unsightly and have an unpleasant odor. As weather conditions persist and red tide remains at high levels, the removal process takes time and immense effort. We appreciate your patience while our contractor works to clean up the dead fish from our waterways.