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Toxic algae devastating Florida coastline kills thousands of marine animals

Tonnes of marine life including a 21-foot shark was found washed up along Florida's Gulf Coast: EPA
Tonnes of marine life including a 21-foot shark was found washed up along Florida's Gulf Coast: EPA

Thousands of fish have been killed by toxic algae devastating the coast of Florida.

Red Tide, a toxic algae arrived on the state's Gulf Coast killing thousands of small fish, with reports of dolphins also being washed up since it appeared last November.

Since July, 267 tonnes of marine life, including 72 groupers and a 21-foot whale shark of washed up on one beach at Sanibel Island, according to the Guardian.

Red Tide can also cause respiratory problems in humans, leading to many of the stunning beaches in Florida to be deserted.

A local, Alex Kuizon covers his face as he stands near dead fish at a boat ramp in Florida (AP)
A local, Alex Kuizon covers his face as he stands near dead fish at a boat ramp in Florida (AP)

Researchers have found that respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses increase during red tide.

Hospital admissions for respiratory diagnoses jumped 54 percent for coastal residents.

Thousands of tonnes of dead fish have washed up on the coastline (AP)
Thousands of tonnes of dead fish have washed up on the coastline (AP)

Heather Lam, from Venice, Florida said: "I've never seen it this bad. I feel like it cleanses your soul to go to the beach. For me not to be able to go, it's painful. I think a lot of people here take for granted when they live in Florida.

"Some people save their paychecks for a whole year to come."

The Florida Wildlife Research Institute says the number of dead and stranded sea turtles is nearly three times higher than average.

Crew clear up dead fish on Coquina Beach, Florida (AP)
Crew clear up dead fish on Coquina Beach, Florida (AP)

More than 450 stranded and dead sea turtles have been recovered in four affected counties this year.

The algae has caused Florida's governor Rick Scott to declare a state of emergency is seven counties along the Gulf Coast.

In a statement he said: "I am issuing an emergency declaration to provide significant funding and resources to the communities experiencing red tide so we can combat its terrible impacts."

According to scientists, the algae is caused by warmer waters which in turn is caused by climate change.