‘Red Tide’ Imperils Southwest Florida Economy

A new study quantifies the potential economic losses that would result from another algae bloom.

1 minute read

January 19, 2024, 5:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Dead fish washed up on Florida beach during 2018 'red tide' algae bloom event.

Dead fish washed up on Florida beach during 2018 algae bloom event. | geraldmarella / Adobe Stock

Poor water quality is endangering more than $30 billion in economic assets in Southwest Florida, according to a new study, lending increased urgency to efforts to improve the quality of coastal waters. In a story for Fox 4, Mahmoud Bennett writes, 

“The analysis, which was prepared by Greene Economics LLC, indicates that for the coastal economy alone, a detrimental water event, such as the algal bloom situation in 2018, could result in $3 billion in losses for Lee County, $1.7 billion for Collier, and $466 million for Charlotte County.”

The 2018 algae bloom killed off over 4 million pounds of local fish. A similar event could jeopardize tens of thousands of jobs in the region.

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