State environmental monitors detected a resurgence of red tide in the Florida Panhandle this week, with bloom-level concentrations observed in Northwest Florida waters and reports of fish kills surfacing in Bay County.
According to the latest status report, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was identified in 31 samples collected along Florida’s Gulf Coast over the past week. While much of the state is seeing only background levels, the presence of the algae has intensified in the Panhandle.
Three samples from Northwest Florida registered bloom concentrations, defined as more than 100,000 cells per liter. Specific testing in Bay and Gulf counties showed levels ranging from background to medium, while Franklin County recorded very low concentrations and Walton County showed background levels.
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Satellite imagery captured on January 15 by USF and NOAA NCCOS supports these findings, revealing patches of slightly elevated chlorophyll in the inland waters of Gulf and Franklin counties. Cloud cover prevented a full satellite assessment of Bay County, though local reports confirmed the environmental impact.
Authorities received reports of fish kills believed to be related to the red tide in Bay County. However, no respiratory irritation associated with the blooms was reported across the state during this monitoring period.
In Southwest Florida, conditions remain calmer. Samples taken from Sarasota and Charlotte counties showed only background concentrations of K. brevis. Similar background levels were found offshore of Collier County, while offshore samples from Monroe County ranged from background to low.
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The Florida East Coast remains clear, with no red tide observed in samples collected over the last week.
Looking ahead, the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides forecasts variable movement of surface and subsurface waters from Bay to Franklin counties over the next three and a half days. Further south, from Pinellas to northern Monroe counties, water transport is expected to move predominantly to the southeast.
The next comprehensive status report is scheduled for release on Friday, January 23.
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