Current Conditions
The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 11 samples from Southwest Florida over the past week. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track nearshore and offshore conditions.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to very low concentrations in Pinellas County, background concentrations in Manatee County, background to low concentrations in Sarasota County, and background concentrations in Charlotte County.
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.
Respiratory Irritation potentially related to red tide was reported in Southwest Florida in Sarasota County (9/17-9/19 at Siesta Key Beach; 9/18 at Venice North Jetty Beach) over the past week. For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit Mote Marine Laboratory’s Beach Conditions Reporting System and for forecasts that use FWC and partner data, please visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast.
Red Tide Status Report Courtesy of FWC