Red Tide Report 11-7-14

A patchy bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, has been detected in southwest Florida. Karenia brevis concentrations range from background to medium in the Pine Island Sound system and offshore of Charlotte Harbor and Sanibel Island (Lee County). Low and medium concentrations have also been detected inshore and alongshore of southern Collier County. Recent satellite images from the Optical Oceanography Laboratory at the University of South Florida show that bloom patches extend approximately 60 miles alongshore and up to 15 miles offshore, depending on location, between Lee and Collier counties. In addition, background concentrations of K. brevis were detected in one sample collected inshore of Gulf County in northwest Florida.

Other samples collected throughout Florida this week did not contain red tide.

Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides (CPR), a partnership between the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, project waters in the bloom area offshore of Sanibel Island to move slowly south over the next 3 days. Little movement of the patches offshore of Collier County is projected.

Tables and maps of sample results are available on our Web site:(http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/events/status/statewide/).     

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: (http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/events/status/contact/).

To learn more about various organisms that have been known to cause algal blooms in Florida waters, see our flickr page at (http://www.flickr.com/photos/myfwc) and click on “Harmful Algal Bloom Species”.                                                                                

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

This information, including maps and reports with additional details, is also available on our Web site: (http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/events/status/statewide/). 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: (http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/events/status/contact/).

To learn more about various organisms that have been known to cause algal blooms in Florida waters, see our flickr page at (http://www.flickr.com/photos/myfwc) and click on “Harmful Algal Bloom Species”.

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