Ryan Rindone will speak at Salt Pines on Aug. 14th, from 6 to 8 pm

The Red Tide algae bloom outbreak that now rapidly spreads along the Gulf Coast has turned into a major concern for environmentalists.

With the lingering bloom reaching Anna Maria Island last week, leaving dead fish covering the beach, many wonder if Tampa Bay is next? A report on Sunday noted some dead crabs and fish had washed up on shore near Bayshore Boulevard and Bay to Bay Boulevard.

As concerns about Red Tide grow, Salt Pines will host Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council biologist Ryan Rindone to discuss its impact on Florida’s waters, animals and people on Tuesday (Aug 14) from 6 to 8 p.m. The Hyde Park Village sporting life clothing store is located at 1503 W Swann Ave.

Rindone could not say whether it will reach Tampa since Red Tide can bloom in any body of salt water, but he aims to educate residents in case they are faced with it.

"It doesn’t do any good to worry about it right now because we don’t know where it’s going to go, but we should be cautious about it" he said. "It’s possible the Red Tide can come up in Tampa Bay, but anywhere the water is too fresh like the Hillsborough River, we won’t see it there. If it’s going to appear, it’ll be off the beach before it moves out to the bay."

The bloom has moved steadily north over the past several weeks and could impact Pinellas County. It’s a rising worry for tourists and local beach lovers. Tampa’s tourist officials also are paying close attention.