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Blue green algae appears in Fort Myers Beach canals — sans toxins

By Staff | Jul 13, 2018

Algae gathers at the back of the canal at Bayview Drive and Ohio Street.

Residents have had their eyes on the water – and they’ve called in reports of algae blooming in their canals.

Rae Burns, environmental technician for the Town of Fort Myers Beach, confirmed that the spots of bright green collecting in the canals at the northern end of the beach is blue green algae. However, she’s had it tested, and so far none of the results have come back with toxins detected, she said.

“We’re okay. The number of colonies we have are not at a level to cause toxic effects,” she said. Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, is typically a freshwater-only organism. But the influx of freshwater from Lake Okeechobee, plus the recent and plentiful rains, has allowed the cyanobacteria to travel into water that’s normally too brackish, Burns said.

“Algae growth is common. It’s summer in Florida, we’re going to have some blooms,” Burns said. “(Blue green algae) is a little rare here because normally it’s too brackish, but it’s not completely unheard of.”

The Back Bay is staying saline enough to prevent blooms on a larger scale, but small cells of the organism can travel through the saltier water to areas it finds more hospitable. The backs of the canals don’t get flushed out; the water there is more stagnant, making it a better place for the algae to colonize and bloom visibly, Burns said.

Blue green algae floats down Primo Drive's canal.

Burns also said she’d been in contact with the City of Sanibel, which is having a similar experience now as well.

“There are no toxins at this point,” she said. “We’re keeping an eye on it.”