A Clear Coastline: No Red Tide Organism Detected Statewide
Floridians and visitors alike can enjoy the state’s pristine coastlines with peace of mind this week, as the harmful red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was not observed in any samples collected across the state over the past seven days. This marks a period of significant reprieve from the algal blooms that can impact marine life and human health.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported today that comprehensive sampling efforts detected no presence of Karenia brevis. Complementing ground observations, satellite imagery from both the University of South Florida (USF) and NOAA NCCOS continues to be utilized to monitor nearshore and offshore conditions for any signs of developing blooms.
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Further good news for Florida’s coastal ecosystems comes from the absence of reported fish kills suspected to be related to red tide. No incidents were relayed to the FWC’s Fish Kill Hotline or other partner organizations over the past week, suggesting a healthy period for marine inhabitants.
In a positive sign for public health, no reports of respiratory irritation, often a common symptom for individuals exposed to red tide aerosols, were received anywhere in Florida over the past week. For those seeking ongoing information on potential respiratory impacts and general red tide forecasts, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Gulf Coast Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast remains a valuable resource, integrating data from FWC and its partners.
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Looking ahead, forecasts provided by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for the region stretching from Pinellas County to northern Monroe County indicate a net northern movement of surface waters and southeastern transport of subsurface waters in most areas over the next 3.5 days. This movement is a key factor in predicting where any potential future blooms might emerge or dissipate.
Due to the upcoming holiday, the next official red tide status report from the FWC will be issued on Wednesday, July 2nd.
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