Red Tide Report 10.6.16

A bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida from Pinellas to Collier counties. 

Karenia brevis was observed in background to high concentrations in six samples collected from Pinellas County; background to high concentrations in eleven samples collected from Manatee County; background to high concentrations in thirty-two samples collected from Sarasota County; background to low concentrations in five samples collected from Charlotte County; background to medium concentrations in eight samples collected from Lee County; and background to high concentrations in ten samples collected from Collier County.

Additional samples collected throughout Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis.

Fish kills affecting multiple species have been reported along Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties; respiratory irritation has been reported in these same areas. Forecasts for Southwest Florida by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides show net offshore movement of surface waters, and southern, onshore movement of subsurface waters between southern Pinellas and Collier 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.