A bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in southwest Florida. Satellite images from early this week produced by the Optical Oceanography Laboratory at the University of South Florida show patches that extend approximately 50 miles alongshore and up to 35 miles offshore, depending on location, between Collier and Monroe counties. More recent satellite images are not available due to cloud cover.
Karenia brevis concentrations range from background to medium alongshore and offshore of Lee and Collier counties. In several samples collected in the Pine Island Sound system (Lee and Charlotte counties), background concentrations have been detected. Fish kills and respiratory irritation were reported on 11/15 and 11/16 alongshore of MarcoIsland (CollierCounty).
Courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
