Manatee County announces next phase of red tide cleanup

MANATEE COUNTY – Today Manatee County announced a new program to maintain local canals and waterways impacted by the August red tide outbreak. The Nets to Neighbors campaign will provide local homeowner associations and neighborhoods with nets and buckets for local cleanup efforts.

Manatee County will continue its daily cleanup of public beaches and parks on Anna Maria Island. The County now will move to a maintenance effort, said County Administrator Ed Hunzeker during a news conference today at 1 p.m.

"We’re transitioning to a program where we will provide nets and buckets to the neighborhood sites that have dumpsters," Hunzeker said. "You and your neighbors can assist by picking up residual fish. We have no idea how long (red tide) will continue but we’re committed to helping with volunteers and equipment."

Today, nets and buckets were taken to Coral Shores, Wild Oak Bay and Trailer Estates -- neighborhoods that have been impacted most directly from the red tide bloom. By Wednesday of this week, many more nets will be available to borrow at G.T. Bray Recreation Center.