Current Conditions
Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 72 samples collected from Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in three samples: one in Pinellas County, one in Sarasota County, and one in Lee County. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track this event.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, background and very low concentrations in Manatee County, background to medium concentrations in Sarasota County, background to low concentrations in Charlotte County, background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Lee County, background to low concentrations in and offshore of Collier County, and low concentrations offshore of Monroe County.
In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at low concentrations in one sample collected offshore of Taylor County.
Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
Fish Kills
Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received from Southwest Florida over the past week from Sarasota County.
Respiratory Irritation
Over the past week, respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported via the Beach Conditions Reporting System and/or the Fish Kill Hotline in Southwest Florida in Pinellas and Sarasota counties. For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org/ .
Red Tide Status Report Courtesy of FWC
