Current Conditions The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed at background concentrations in four Southwest Florida samples over the past week. Other samples collected statewide did not contain K. brevis.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in three samples collected offshore of Sarasota County and in one sample collected offshore of Charlotte County.
In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
Patchy Trichodesmium blooms continue to persist in offshore waters of Southwest Florida, based on recent satellite chlorophyll imagery provided by USF and NOAA. This alga blooms each year, has not been shown to be toxic in Florida’s waters, and often resembles sawdust but can change color as it decomposes.
No fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported over the past week.
No reports of respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide were received over the past week.
Report courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
