Florida’s Gulf Coast continues to grapple with the presence of red tide, caused by the harmful algal bloom organism Karenia brevis, with recent sampling revealing concentrations ranging from background levels to significant blooms.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), 39 samples collected over the past week showed the presence of K. brevis.
Notably, four samples taken offshore of Monroe County on February 18th exhibited bloom concentrations, exceeding 100,000 cells per liter.
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Regional Breakdown:
- Southwest Florida:K. brevis was detected across the region, with varying concentrations.
- Pinellas County: Background to very low concentrations.
- Hillsborough County: Very low to low concentrations.
- Manatee County: Background to low concentrations (inshore and offshore).
- Sarasota County: Background to low concentrations (offshore).
- Charlotte County: Background to low concentrations (offshore).
- Lee County: Background concentrations.
- Collier County: Background concentrations (offshore).
- Monroe County: Background to medium concentrations (offshore), with significant blooms detected.
- Northwest Florida: One sample from Bay County showed background concentrations.
- East Coast: No K. brevis was detected.
The presence of red tide has led to reported fish kills across Southwest Florida, spanning Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties. Additionally, residents in these counties have reported respiratory irritation, a common symptom associated with red tide.
The FWC encourages the public to report fish kills through its Fish Kill Hotline. For real-time forecasts, residents are advised to consult the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Gulf of America Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast.
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Forecasts from the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides, covering Pinellas County to northern Monroe County, indicate a net southern to southwestern movement of surface waters and a net southeastern transport of subsurface waters over the next 3.5 days.
Officials urge residents and visitors to stay informed about the latest red tide conditions and to take necessary precautions.
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