While the red tide organism Karenia brevis remains present along Florida’s Gulf Coast, bloom concentrations have not been observed in recent samples, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Over the past week, K. brevis was detected in 16 samples collected from the Gulf Coast. However, no samples showed bloom concentrations (above 100,000 cells/liter).
Cells were found at varying levels in samples collected along or offshore of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Charlotte counties in Southwest Florida.
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Southwest Florida Observations:
- Pinellas County: Background concentrations
- Hillsborough County: Background to low concentrations
- Manatee County: Background to very low concentrations (offshore)
- Charlotte County: Background and very low concentrations
Other Areas:
- Northwest Florida: K. brevis was not observed.
- Florida East Coast: K. brevis was not observed.
The FWC continues to utilize chlorophyll satellite imagery from the University of South Florida (USF) and NOAA NCCOS to monitor nearshore and offshore conditions. Patches of elevated surface chlorophyll, previously observed, appear to have dissipated.
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A fish kill suspected to be related to red tide was reported at Turtle Beach in Sarasota County on February 27th. No respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported in Southwest Florida over the past week.
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