Red Tide Prevention with Clams, in action on Anna Maria Island

Returning and new guests of Dans Florida Condos will be interested in recent activities occurring on Anna Maria Island, FL.  First off, AMI has been clear of all traces of Red Tide for months now.  In addition, local restaurant owners, nonprofit organizations, and environmental agencies are putting preventative measures to action, to help ensure the Bradenton Beach coast is not affected as it was in the late summer/fall months of 2018 from red tide.

Florida red tide, or Karenia brevis, is a type of microalgae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to marine life, red tide also can make shellfish unfit to eat and can cause respiratory irritation in people.

The agency who is leading the charge is the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency.  In March 2019, they released the first 30,000 clams into the Sarasota Bay, just off Bridge Street Pier on Bradenton Beach, FL.  This is the first segment of the preventative clam project, which in total will be distributing over 200,000 live clams into the salt water shores of our little piece of paradise.

The clams release is being monitored closely by other state and government agencies and its hoped to serve as a model for other coastal communities throughout Florida.  The clams which are composed of mostly carbon, not only clean the water but also promote seagrass growth.  This growth creates a natural buffer to sea wildlife when powerful storms visit the beaches. 

The dozens of volunteers looked closely at the types of clams to purchase for the project.  They found that smaller clams, while more desirable and marketable in the seafood businesses, came with drawbacks.  Smaller clams are very prone to predators.  They are small (and delicious not only to humans) so everything within their surroundings wants to eat them.  Larger clams with thick carbon shells proved to be almost immune to surrounding predators and can live up to 35 years within the warm waters off of Anna Maria Island. 

The project will not only drastically reduce chances of a return of the “once in a generation” red tide event of 2018, but also promote awareness and momentum in supporting a clean water environment throughout Anna Maria Island, FL.

Boat owners who are interested in the clam project can volunteer by calling the Sand Bar Restaurant 941-778-0444.

Latest Red Tide Report on AMI

March 2019 kicked off the spring/summer booking season.  Thousands of travelers typically start planning their vacations now that school schedules for children and other family plans are solidified.  Coincidentally, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported that no red tide was predicted in Manatee County waters through mid-March. 

With no fish kills or respiratory issues reported by the NOAA in months and the addition to the Clam project to fight red tide, eager vacationers can now start booking their spring/summer vacations with a better sense of confidence that their vacations will not be impacted as many were last year. 

To read more articles highlighting Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, FL and Dans Florida Condos please visit the “Our Blog” section of our booking-free website: https://www.dansfloridacondos.com/blog/

*Please note – Dans Florida Condos posts blogs of local establishments and events periodically, for the intended benefit of our guests and visitors of Anna Maria Island. We do not receive advertisement commissions or other compensation from these posts. These recommendations are either experienced firsthand by us, or via reputable friends and partners on the Island. This ensures we are informing our guests of the “best of the best” that the Anna Maria Island and the surrounding areas have to offer.

*The content of this blog is not to be copied, adapted or shared without the written consent of Dans Florida Condos.