Florida beaches could be dealt a one-two punch of red tide and giant seaweed blob

A toxic algae bloom known as red tide is already killing fish along the Gulf Coast, causing a stench. "It could be two problems turning into a bigger one," said Mike Parsons, a marine science professor at Florida Gulf Coast University. "There is evidence that we are influencing red tide through discharges," he said. Red tide originates dozens of miles offshore when there are high amounts of the algae known as Karenia brevis. Red tide can have an impact on tourism, as businesses along the Gulf Coast are still recovering from Hurricane Ian last year.