A bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed from Sarasota to Lee counties in Southwest Florida.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, Karenia brevis was observed at low concentrations in one sample collected from Manatee County, background to high concentrations in seventeen samples collected from Sarasota County, very low to high concentrations in seven samples collected from Charlotte County, and background to high concentrations in sixteen samples collected from Lee County.
Additional samples collected throughout Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis.
Numerous reports of fish kills and respiratory irritation in Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties were received over the past week.
Report courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
