Visit www.mymanatee.org/redtide for updates and a list of fishermen offering services to homeowners
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Aug. 14, 2018) – County Commissioners today discussed how the County can assist private homeowners clear waterways, inlets and canals of sea life killed by the red tide outbreak.
Manatee County does not have a marine fleet to remove fish in smaller canals, and waterways, nor can County crews go onto private property to haul dead sea life to the landfill. So County leaders aim to connect local fisherman willing to assist with the homeowners who need their canals cleared.
Beginning tomorrow Manatee County will make roll off dumpsters available at Bayfront Park on Anna Maria Island and at three County-owned boat ramps: Coquina North, Coquina South and Kingfish boat ramps. Private homeowners can either haul dead fish and debris from red tide without having to pay County landfill tipping fees or they may contract with local fishermen willing to do the work.
Fishermen who want to contract their services with local homeowners or homeowner associations, may provide their contact information to the County's Citizen Action Center at (941) 742-5800. The County will post those business names and numbers on the County's red tide website, www.mymanatee.org/redtide Private homeowners can check the site from time to time to get a current list of fishermen to do the job.
Commissioners and County staff also said they will work with state and federal leaders to obtain funding for other local impacts from this year's outbreak.
Department directors from the County's Property Management, Parks and Natural Resources and Public Safety departments all gave updates on the coordinated effort to keep public beaches and boat ramps clear of marine animals killed by red tide.
Those efforts include constant beach cleaning during daylight hours, relying on inmate labor from the Manatee and DeSoto sheriffs' offices and hiring temporary work to help the cleanup effort, said Charlie Bishop, Property Management Director.
The County is posting regular updates on the cleanup effort at www.mymanatee.org/redtide
