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Florida lost billions of tourism dollars due to 2018 red tide bloom, study finds

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A new study from the University of Central Florida researchers shows that Florida’s tourism industry took a big financial hit from the red tide bloom in 2018.

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That study showed that tourism-related businesses lost an estimated $2.7 billion.

The bloom killed fish and other marine life by the thousands.

Red tide guide: How to check Florida beach conditions

Many beaches were also forced to close.

The study showed that even lower levels of red tide can have a major economic impact.

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