Artists Statement

 “Red Tide, which scientists call a harmful algae bloom, is caused by a naturally occurring alga (a plant-like microorganism) called Karenia brevis or K. brevis. When K. brevis appears in large quantities – typically in the Gulf of Mexico – it can turn ocean water red, brown or green” (Simon). I made this project to bring more awareness to this issue because being from Florida, and eating fish, seeing how many plastics fish are being found inside of fish. Even now with the red tide the marine life are dying because of the big sugar companies dumping their wastes into the water. I want to bring attention to this issue because it is not going away it will continue unless we are willing to do something to prevent this in the long run. I want to bring attention to how bad the oceans are getting when we’re using these single use plastics, and Styrofoam and how those plastics also contribute to red tide.

My concept for this was my passion for marine life and being a diver, and a local Floridian. I also used to want to be a marine biologist, so this is something that came about often when I was studying. The fact that marine life is being killed, and that people are getting sick or are losing work because of these big sugar companies, the Florida government, and Washington D.C. “Red tide can have debilitating effects on marine life. If the microorganisms are concentrated at more than a 10,000-cell-per-liter rate, fish of all kinds can start dying. At least 400 stranded and dead sea turtles have been found since bloom conditions began in November, as well as a manatee and a 26-foot whale shark. Most people can safely swim in red tide, but it can cause skin irritation and burning eyes. Inhaling the red tide toxins can lead to coughing, sneezing, and teary eyes, though those symptoms are typically temporary.” (Simon). I want to be able to show how beautiful the ocean can be and if we aren’t going to stop and think about our choices everyday we will lose that beauty.

Side note: I was going to bring a small sample of the red tide but then I remembered how bad it can affect people in that small room.

Simon, Caroline. “What Is Red Tide, and Why Is It Currently Roiling Southwest Florida?” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 2 Aug. 2018, www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/08/02/red-tide-impacts-florida-coast-algae-growth-kills-wildlife/891352002/.