Red tide research bill wins final approval in Legislature

A bill aimed at finding ways to control and alleviate toxic red tide blooms has won final approval by the Florida Legislature.

The House voted 112-1 for the measure providing $3 million a year for the next six years to research red tide. The bill now goes to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The research would be a partnership between the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote Marine Laboratory.

Florida recently experienced one of its largest red tide blooms in recorded history. The 15-month bloom caused respiratory irritations in people and killed sea turtles, manatees, dolphins and fish.

The main sponsor, Republican Sen. Joe Gruters of Sarasota, said the state has traditionally spent money on red tide research during a bloom, but the money dries up when the bloom ends.