Red tide, caused by the Karenia brevis organism, continues to be present along Florida’s Gulf and Atlantic coasts, with bloom concentrations observed in several areas, particularly in Southwest Florida.
Over the past week, K. brevis was detected in 65 water samples collected from both coasts. Bloom concentrations (greater than 100,000 cells/liter) were found in eight samples: one from Hillsborough County, six from Sarasota County, and one offshore of Lee County.
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Satellite chlorophyll imagery from the University of South Florida (USF) and NOAA NCCOS is being used to monitor the patchy bloom, which shows daily variations. Imagery from December 17th revealed a significant 75-mile-long patch of elevated chlorophyll along the Southwest Florida coast.
This patch is located approximately five to 10 miles offshore of Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties, and extends about 35 miles across at its widest point. The imagery suggests a southward movement of the chlorophyll patch(es), consistent with previous ocean circulation forecasts.
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Regional Breakdown of K. brevis Concentrations:
- Southwest Florida:
- Pinellas County: Background to low concentrations
- Hillsborough County: Background to medium concentrations
- Manatee County: Very low to low concentrations
- Sarasota County: Background to medium concentrations
- Charlotte County: Very low concentrations
- Lee County: Very low to high concentrations (including offshore areas)
- Collier County: Background to low concentrations
- Northwest Florida: One sample from Franklin County showed very low concentrations.
- Florida East Coast: One sample from Brevard County showed very low concentrations.
Reported Impacts:
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish Kill Hotline and partner organizations in Sarasota and Lee counties.
Respiratory irritation potentially linked to red tide was also reported in Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties.
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