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Flounder recreational harvest to reopen

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that the recreational harvest of flounder in all Florida state and federal waters will reopen on Dec. 1.

The minimum size limit for flounder is 14 inches total length and the daily recreational bag limit is five fish per

person. Learn more about flounder regulations at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking “Recreational Regulations” and “Flounder” or download the Fish Rules App at Instagram.com/FishRulesApp or Facebook.com/FishRulesApp. DOH-Lee issues red tide alerts for islands, county

On Nov. 22, the Florida Department of Health in Lee County issued a health alert for the presence of an additional red tide bloom. The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed at very low to high concentrations in Lee. An alert level of red tide was found at the Alison Hagerup Beach on Captiva.

In addition, it issued a health alert on Nov. 21 for the presence of an additional red tide bloom. An alert level of red tide was found at the Lighthouse Beach Park on Sanibel.

Both alerts were issued in response to water samples taken on Nov. 17.

The DOH-Lee also issued a health alert on Nov. 18 for the presence of three blooms. Alert levels of red tide were found at Lynn Hall Park on Fort Myers Beach and at New Pass on Lovers Key; a cautionary level of red tide was found at Bonita Beach Park.

It reported that the alert was issued in response to water samples taken on Nov. 16.

The public should exercise caution in and around Lee County coastal waters at this time.

The public is advised to take the following precautions: ∫ Look for informational signage posted at most beaches. ∫ Stay away from the water, and do not swim in waters with dead fish. ∫ Those with chronic respiratory problems should be especially cautious and stay away from the locations as red tide can affect your breathing. ∫ Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish, or distressed or dead fish from the locations. If caught live and healthy, finfish are safe to eat as long as they are filleted and the guts are discarded. Rinse fillets with tap or bottled water. ∫ Wash your skin and clothing with soap and fresh water if you have had recent contact with red tide. ∫ Keep pets and livestock away and out of the water, sea foam and dead sea life. If your pet swims in waters with red tide, wash it as soon as possible. ∫ Those living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner, making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications. ∫ If outdoors near an affected location, people may choose to wear masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

What is red tide?

Red tide is one type of harmful algal bloom caused by high concentrations of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (K. brevis), a type of microscopic algae found in the Gulf of Mexico. It typically forms naturally offshore, commonly in late summer or early fall, and is carried into coastal waters by winds and currents. Once inshore, these organisms can use nearshore nutrient sources to fuel their growth. Blooms typically last into winter or spring, but in some cases, can endure for more than one year.

Is it harmful?

K. brevis produces potent neurotoxins (brevetoxins) that can be harmful to the health of wildlife and people. Wind and wave action can break open K. brevis cells and release toxins into the air. This is why you should monitor conditions and use caution when visiting affected water bodies. People in coastal areas can experience varying degrees of eye, nose and throat irritation during a red tide bloom. Some individuals with chronic respiratory conditions, like asthma or chronic lung disease, might experience more severe symptoms. Red tide toxins can also affect the central nervous system of fish and other marine life, which can lead to fish kills and increased wildlife strandings or mortalities. Eating contaminated seafood can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in humans. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting; tingling of the mouth, lips and tongue; and slurred speech and dizziness.

To find current information about Florida's water quality status and public health notifications for harmful algal blooms and beach conditions, visit ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov and floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/aquatic-toxins. For local shellfish harvesting status, visit the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at h t t p s : / / w w w . f d a c s . g o v / A g r i c u l t u r e Industry/Aquaculture/Shellfish-Harvesting-AreaClassification.

Where to report issues related to red tide?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission collects and analyzes red tide samples and results are updated multiple times daily at MyFWC.com/redtidemap/. Status updates are issued twice weekly during blooms at https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/. To hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state, call the toll-free hotline at 866-300-9399.

To report fish kills, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute via the FWC Reporter App, call 800-636-0511 or report online at https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-killshotline/.

Report symptoms from exposure to a harmful algal bloom or any aquatic toxin to the Florida Poison Information Center. Call 800-222-1222 to speak to a poison specialist immediately.

Contact your veterinarian if you believe your pet has become ill after consuming or having contact with red tide-affected water or contaminated marine life.

For other health questions or concerns about red tide blooms, call the DOH-Lee at 239-690-2100.

Twins’ Spring Training schedule features 17 games at Hammond Stadium

The Minnesota Twins recently announced the home schedule for its 2023 Spring Training campaign — the club’s 33rd season at the Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers.

The schedule features 33 total games (17 home and 16 road), including a home exhibition on March 9 against a to-be-determined opponent from the upcoming World Baseball Classic tournament. The Grapefruit League openers are set for Feb. 25; the Twins will play a pair of split-squad games that day, including a home game at Hammond Stadium against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Highlights of the Twins’ 17 Grapefruit League home games include three contests against the Rays (Feb. 25 and March 16 and 21) and Atlanta Braves (Feb. 28 and March 19 and 25); two games apiece against the Boston Red Sox (March 3 and 11), Baltimore Orioles (March 7 and 17) and Pittsburgh Pirates (March 14 and 27); as well as single games against the Philadelphia Phillies (March 1), Detroit Tigers (March 5), New York Yankees (March 13) and Toronto Blue Jays (March 23).

The Twins will conclude its Spring Training schedule on March 28 with a road game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, before beginning the regular season on March 30 with an Opening Day contest against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

For more information, visit www.twinsbaseball.com or call 800-33-TWINS.

Updates From page 14

Hurricane reentry passes

The city noted that there are no changes to the existing process for island residents, business owners and contractors who wish to obtain a hurricane reentry pass to gain access to Sanibel or Captiva. ∫ To obtain a hurricane reentry pass, visit the hurricane reentry pass distribution center at the Fort Myers Regional Library's Meeting Rooms, at 1651 Lee St., Fort Myers. ∫ For a copy of the pass application, visit https://www.mysanibel.com/government/police/useful-links/emergency-management. Please print and complete the application before arrival at the center. Printed copies are available at the center. The name of the individual who will be issued the pass will be written on the pass. Reentry passes may not be assigned or transferred to another person. ∫ Off-island businesses will be limited to five passes; they must provide an employee name for each pass issued. Additional passes will be handled on a one-on-one or as needed basis. ∫ Passes are distributed on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. and on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m.

In other news

∫ Sanibel Postmaster Tirzah Althouse reported that island mail is still being picked up at the Jetport Loop Facility, at 14080 Jetport Loop, Fort Myers. Those who cannot pick up their mail weekly, as mail and packages cannot be held for more than 10 days, are asked to contact tirzah.j.althouse@usps.gov.

To change or forward a mailing address, visit https://www.usa.gov/postoffice.

To sign up for “Informed Delivery, ” visit https://reg.usps.com/portal/register? _gl=1*1p5ghgo* _ga*NDkxMTkyNT cyLjE2NjkxNjg3MTA. * _ga _ 3NXP3C8 S9V*MTY2OTE2ODcxMC4xLjAuMT Y2OTE2ODcxMC4wLjAuMA. ∫ LCEC suggested customers call about disconnecting if they cannot receive service for a long time. ∫ City Manager Dana Souza reported that island deliveries are allowed with proper paperwork. ∫ The Sanibel City Council will hold its next meeting on Dec. 6 at 9 a.m. at BIG ARTS, at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel. The meeting will be broadcast on Facebook Live.