BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) – With smiles on their faces and vigor in their step, locals are loud and proud as they tout tourism in the Bradenton Beach area, rallying against red tide.

They’re hoping their message goes global. 

They want the world to see the Florida they’re seeing, one with stunning sunsets, quaint communities and endless beautiful beaches.

They admit it’s tough to battle red tide, but they’re all in, and they’re hoping you’ll help.

Social media, they say, is where the battle is being fought.

“I want folks here to enjoy what we have to offer,” said Ken Lawson, CEO of Visit Florida. “We want people on social media to see the beauty here.”

To wage a war of this magnitude, it takes passion and a grass roots effort, business leaders tell WFLA.

Businesses in Bradenton Beach are now banding together to fight as a community. 

“We’ve got to encourage more people to do what we’re doing right now,” John Horne told a group of local business leaders on Wednesday as they gathered at the Beach House Restaurant in Bradenton Beach. 

One local hot spot hoping to shine a bright spot on social media is Swordfish Grill and Tiki Bar. The waterfront restaurant has been a mainstay in the area for four generations.

“I want people to know it’s not as bad as they think it is,” said General Manager Bob Slicker.

“There’s nobody dying out here from being in the water or out here breathing this stuff. Come on out here tonight. There’s a beautiful sunset tonight and everybody is missing it.”

The GM admits business has been tough lately, down 70 percent.

But, the conditions at his place and others are perfect.

No smell, no dead fish, no dirty water.

“People are sitting outside, people are eating fresh fish. This fish is not from red tide waters. We go out 10 miles out in the gulf, where there’s no red tide,” said Slicker.

At his restaurant, you’ll see locals like Jane Virgrass and her buddy, Marilyn. For them, this is paradise where a weekly ladies night for a dinner out happens regardless of red tide.

“We’re no spring chickens, so if we can come out here and survive, anyone can,” said Marilyn Cain with a laugh.

Jane added, “Don’t be afraid, everything is open and ready to go.”

That’s the message locals are hoping the world will hear.

They say they’ll continue meeting on a nightly basis, encouraging a positive push on social media, touting tourism.

They’re also hoping Governor Scott will hear their message and apply for more federal red tide relief money.