As algae blooms increase, scientists seek better ways to predict these toxic tides

Knowing where — and how bad — toxic tides are can help protect health and the environment

algal bloom off Florida's west coast

STAINED RED A harmful algae bloom that has plagued Florida’s west coast for 11 months prompted authorities to call a state of emergency on August 13.

Paul Lamison/Tampa Tribune-News Channel 8/Associated Press

The stench of thousands of dead, bloated fish has hung over the beaches of western Florida for months — casualties of an algae bloom that revisits the coastline almost every year.