Fish kills reported at Bonita, Marco Island beaches afflicted by red tide

A lingering red tide left behind dead fish Wednesday at Bonita Beach, Barefoot Beach and Marco Island, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported.

The bloom of microscopic algae, which can kill marine life and cause respiratory irritation in humans, was found at very low to medium levels in 15 water samples collected along the Collier County shoreline.

In Lee County, 19 samples tested for red tide at very low to medium levels, the Conservation Commission reported.

More:Red tide causing fish kills, breathing trouble at some Collier, Lee beaches

More:Harmful red tide bloom spreads along Southwest Florida coast

Respiratory irritation was reported at Bonita Beach, Barefoot Beach, Vanderbilt Beach and South Marco this week. Red tide warning signs were up Tuesday at Vanderbilt Beach.

Red tide has been afflicting waters off Southwest Florida, from Sarasota to the Ten Thousand Islands south of Marco for weeks, state reports show.