Red Tide report 3-11-16

Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, persists in background to low concentrations in several areas in Southwest Florida. In addition, background concentrations of K. brevis were observed in 2 samples collected from Northwest Florida. One sample was collected alongshore of Escambia County and the other was collected offshore of Dixie County.

Fish kills have been reported in multiple locations between southern Collier County and northern Monroe County in Southwest Florida. Forecasts for Southwest Florida by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides show northern movement of surface waters and minimal net movement of bottom waters between Pinellas and northern Monroe counties over the next 3 days.

This information, including maps and reports with additional details, is also available on the FWRI Red Tide website. The website also provides links to additional information related to the topic of Florida red tide including satellite imagery, experimental red tide forecasts, shellfish harvesting areas, the FWC Fish Kill Hotline, the Florida Poison Information Center (to report human health effects related to exposure to red tide), and other wildlife related hotlines.

To learn more about various organisms that have been known to cause algal blooms in Florida waters, see the FWRI Red Tide Flickr page. Archived status maps can also be found on Flickr.       

The FWRI HAB group in conjunction with Mote Marine Laboratory now have a facebook page.  Please like our page and learn interesting facts concerning red tide and other harmful algal blooms in Florida.