The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida. K. brevis was detected in 21 samples collected over the past week. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in three samples from Lee County. Recent satellite imagery (2/23; NOAA, USF) indicates the presence of chlorophyll patches along and offshore of Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties. Additional details are provided below.
• In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in Sarasota County (in one sample), very low concentrations in Charlotte County (in one sample), background to medium concentrations in Lee County (in 16 samples), and background to very low concentrations in Collier County (in three samples). Samples from Pinellas and Manatee counties did not contain red tide.
• 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.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported over the past week in Southwest Florida in Lee County; a fish kill was also reported in Collier County.
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida in Lee County. For current conditions, please visit: https://visitbeaches.org.
Report courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
