Red tide is blooming in several areas along Florida’s Gulf Coast, with high concentrations detected in Pinellas, Sarasota, and Lee counties.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported that the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was found in 54 water samples collected over the past week. Bloom concentrations, which can cause fish kills and respiratory irritation in humans, were observed in nine samples.
Satellite imagery indicates a patchy region of elevated chlorophyll, suspected to contain red tide, along southern Sarasota County and offshore of Charlotte and Collier counties. However, cloud cover has made it difficult to determine the full extent of the bloom.
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Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide have been reported in Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. Respiratory irritation has also been reported in these counties.
Red tide blooms can cause various adverse effects, including:
- Fish Kills: The toxins produced by K. brevis can kill fish and other marine life.
- Respiratory Problems: The toxins can also become airborne, causing respiratory irritation in humans, especially those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
- Water Discoloration: High concentrations of red tide can cause the water to appear red or brown.
- Economic Impacts: Red tide can negatively impact tourism and the fishing industry.
The FWC is continuing to monitor the situation closely and collect water samples to track the bloom’s movement and intensity.
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