Current Conditions
A patchy bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida. Background to high concentrations of K. brevis were detected in 57 samples over the past week. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in 26 samples collected in and offshore of Lee and Collier counties. The most recent satellite imagery (USF, NOAA) and monitoring efforts indicate that patches of elevated chlorophyll extend up to 15 miles offshore.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in and offshore of Manatee County, background to very low concentrations in and offshore of Sarasota County, and at background concentrations offshore of Charlotte County. Background to high concentrations of K. brevis were observed in and offshore of Lee and Collier counties.
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.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported in Lee and Collier counties..
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida in Pinellas, Lee and Collier counties.
Report courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
