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This year’s red tide has left St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman pleading for help from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
About 200 city staff members — many pulled from other departments — are working to remove the dead fish killed by the algae bloom.
Crews across Pinellas County have collected more than 500 tons of dead sea life around waterways since clean up efforts in response to red tide began July 1.
And, it’s costing the city. Kriseman estimated the city has spent around six figures so far — an expenditure not planned in the budget.
“We need your help. This isn’t about politics,” Kriseman said.
– Kelly Hayes, Florida Politics