A patchy bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at very low to medium concentrations in five samples collected from or offshore of Lee County, and medium concentrations in one sample collected offshore of Monroe County.
In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected from Franklin County.
Additional samples collected throughout Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis.
Fish kills were reported in Lee County at Bunche Beach and in Pine Island Sound (2/22) and in Monroe County, offshore of Marathon Key and Grassy Key in Florida Bay (2/16, and 2/19-2/21).
Respiratory irritation was also reported in Monroe County, offshore of Marathon Key (2/19).
Report courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
