The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed over the past week in Southwest Florida at background to low concentrations in 26 samples and at bloom concentrations (> 100,000 cells/liter) in four samples. These observations suggest that a small, patchy bloom of K. brevis is present along and just offshore of Lee and Collier counties. Background levels were observed in one Northwest Florida sample.
- In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in Hillsborough County (at one site), in and offshore of Manatee County (at three sites), and in Sarasota County (at one site). Observations further south showed very low concentrations in Charlotte County (at one site), background to high concentrations in and/or offshore of Lee County (at 22 sites), and very low and medium concentrations in Collier County (at one site each).
- In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample from Escambia County.
- Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
No fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported over the past week (please see https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline).
No reports of respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide were received over the past week.
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas to northern Monroe counties predict net southern transport of surface waters and southeastern net movement of subsurface waters in most areas over the next four days.