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Corey Perrine/Staff The footprint evidence is clear where a fish was picked away by birds Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, at Barefoot Beach State Preserve in Bonita Springs, Fla. An agal bloom, known commonly as red tide, is a phenomenon where high concentrations of Karenia brevis, a microscopic marine algae, contain toxins that paralyze the nervous system in fish. In large quantities, they cause the water to appear red or murky, hence the name. The blooms can affect humans causing eye and respiratory conditions such as coughing, sneezing, tearing and itching.

NAPLES Fewer dead fish linked to red tide are washing ashore at Naples beaches compared with several days ago, but tests indicate the microscopic algae has a stronger presence than last week, according to Collier County officials.

The latest red tide report Thursday from the county's Natural Resources department said water samples taken near the Naples Pier show a high level of red tide.

At Barefoot Beach, Vanderbilt Beach, Seagate and south Marco Beach, tests showed red tide was at a medium level at all four locations.

The latest finding indicates the presence of red tide has heightened compared to a week ago when it was at low levels at Seagate and elsewhere.

Red tide is an algae that releases a toxin that can kill marine life and aggravate respiratory problems for people who suffer from asthma and emphysema.

Water samples were collected Tuesday, with newer samples collected Thursday as part of the county's twice-weekly testing to keep beachgoers up to date.

There have been reports of dead fish washing ashore near the Moorings and as far north as Barefoot Beach, but the overall number of dead fish decreased in recent days.

"It is possible the wind is a little bit offshore and so it could be pushing the fish offshore," said Alina Corcoran, a research scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in St. Petersburg.

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Red tide presence strengthens along Naples beaches, but fish kills decline