Current Conditions
Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 75 samples collected from Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in 14 samples from Southwest Florida: one in Pinellas County, two in Manatee County, one in Sarasota County, seven in Charlotte County, and three in Lee County. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track this event. Additional details are provided below.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to medium concentrations in Pinellas County, background to low concentrations offshore of Hillsborough County, background to medium concentrations in Manatee County, background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Sarasota County, background to high concentrations in Charlotte County, background to medium concentrations in Lee County, and background concentrations in Collier County.
In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties
Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
Fish Kills
Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received from Southwest Florida over the past week from Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties.
Respiratory Irritation
Over the past week, respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported via the Beach Conditions Reporting System and/or the Fish Kill Hotline in Southwest Florida in Manatee, Sarasota, and Collier counties.
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Red Tide Status Report Courtesy of FWC
