Red tides are quietly emptying Florida’s cafes and grocery stores, and a new study of coastal counties from 2019 to 2023 says higher algae levels cut visits and time spent enough to add up to millions in local losses

Florida’s sunny beaches are facing a hidden economic threat: toxic algae blooms. These natural occurrences are silently costing coastal businesses millions. A recent study reveals that as algae levels rise, people avoid shorelines, leading to significant drops in customer visits and spending at local eateries and shops. This invisible commercial strain, particularly severe in summer, jeopardizes the survival of small, family-owned establishments.