The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reports that low concentrations of red tide continue to linger along Florida’s Gulf Coast. While the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 44 samples collected over the past week, bloom concentrations were not observed.
Southwest Florida:
- K. brevis was observed at background to very low concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County.
- Background to low concentrations were found in and offshore of Hillsborough County.
- Background to very low concentrations were observed offshore of both Manatee and Sarasota counties.
- Background to very low concentrations were present in and offshore of Charlotte County.
- Background concentrations were found offshore of both Lee and Monroe counties.
READ: Florida Fish And Wildlife Commission Renames Gulf Of Mexico To “Gulf Of America”
Northwest Florida and East Coast:
- K. brevis was not observed in Northwest Florida or along the Florida East Coast.
Despite the low concentrations, fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported in Southwest Florida (Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties). Respiratory irritation was also reported in these counties.
FWC scientists continue to monitor the situation using satellite imagery to track nearshore and offshore conditions. Elevated chlorophyll features along the coast of Southwest Florida appear to have dissipated in most areas.
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