Current Conditions
The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations were detected in Charlotte County only, where “medium” K. brevis concentrations were observed. Background concentrations of K. brevis were also detected in Northwest Florida and on the East Coast of Florida.
Over the past week in Southwest Florida, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations offshore of Sarasota County, background to medium concentrations in Charlotte County, background to low concentrations in and/or offshore of Lee County, very low concentrations in Collier County, and background concentrations offshore of Monroe County. In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected offshore of Pasco County.
Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected from Volusia County.
Fish Kills
In Southwest Florida over the past week, fish kills were reported in Charlotte County..
Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.
Forecast
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas to northern Monroe counties predict net southwestern transport of surface waters in most areas and net southeastern movement of subsurface waters over the next four days.
Report courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
