Scientists have long described "Red Tide" algae blooms as a natural occurrence. Why does it persist in Southwest Florida? The answer may lie in the region's geology; the Loop Current, which flows from the Caribbean into the Gulf of Mexico and then out again, creates a whirlpool eddy on the Florida shelf. This means the water containing Red Tide nutrients never leave the region. The outflow from Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee, and all of the coastal communities do not migrate to the ocean or even the deep Gulf.

This means that Gulf communities will continue to be more susceptible to Red Tide and must be more diligent about reducing effluent.