Residents question red tide, dead fish in Matlacha

MATLACHA, Fla. — The stench of dead fish still lingers in the waters of Matlacha.

But some people are wondering whether the toxic algae is to blame for the dead fish near the bridge.

A map released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows concentrations of red tide in the area, but Bryan Stockbridge, owner of Gulf Coast Kayak, is suspicious.

“This to me looks like a spill or a very concentrated case of fish kill,” he said.

The dead fish, a little bait fish locals call pinfish, are located in one spot on one side of the bridge. Stockbridge thinks that’s unusual.

Plus he hasn’t been experiencing the cough red tide can cause.

“I’ve seen red tide. I’ve experienced the respiratory issues. It’s not fun to be around, but you know very quickly if you’re around red tide,” Stockbridge said, adding that he didn’t think the dead fish were from red tide at all.

There were reports of troubled breathing in the area Thursday.