The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) released its latest red tide status report, confirming the continued presence of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, in numerous samples collected across the state.
Over the past week, K. brevis was detected in 37 samples, with bloom concentrations (exceeding 100,000 cells per liter) found in four samples: two in Sarasota County and two offshore of Monroe County.
The FWC, collaborating with partners such as the University of South Florida (USF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), actively monitors offshore areas suspected of harboring K. brevis using satellite imagery. Recent cloud cover, however, has hindered visibility in the Southwest Florida region.
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In Southwest Florida, K. brevis was observed at varying concentrations. Pinellas County showed background to very low levels, while Hillsborough County had very low and low concentrations. Manatee County exhibited background to low concentrations both inshore and offshore.
Sarasota County showed the highest levels, ranging from background to high concentrations inshore and offshore. Charlotte County had background and low concentrations offshore, Collier County had only background levels offshore, and Monroe County showed background to medium concentrations offshore.
A single sample from Okaloosa County in Northwest Florida contained K. brevis at background concentrations. On the Florida East Coast, a single sample from Duval County also showed background concentrations.
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Reports of fish kills suspected to be linked to red tide were received from various locations in Southwest Florida, including areas in and/or offshore of Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties. Respiratory irritation, another potential effect of red tide, was also reported in the same Southwest Florida areas.
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