Florida wildlife officials detected trace amounts of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, in a handful of water samples across the state this week, though coastal conditions currently remain normal.
According to the latest status report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the algae showed up at “background concentrations”—the lowest possible detection level—in just four samples statewide. Three of those samples came from Southwest Florida, including two pulled from waters offshore of Sarasota County and one offshore of Monroe County. The fourth positive sample was found in Northwest Florida, located in Bay County. Testing along Florida’s East Coast showed no signs of the organism.
The low concentrations mean the state is currently avoiding the typical pitfalls of a major bloom. No fish kills related to red tide were reported to the state’s hotline over the past week, and there were zero reports of the respiratory irritation or coughing fits that usually plague beachgoers when the algae thickens.
Scientists are keeping tabs on where the water might move next using satellite imagery from the University of South Florida and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Looking ahead, short-term models over the next three and a half days predict that surface waters from Pinellas down to northern Monroe counties will generally drift to the north and northwest, while deeper subsurface waters will mostly stay put.
State agencies plan to continue monitoring the coast and will release their next updated status report on Friday, June 5.
READ: Putting A LEASH On Animal Abusers: Florida Rep. Greg Steube Eyes National Felony Cruelty Registry
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