Red Tide Status Update for March 27, 2020

Current Conditions
The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed in one sample collected from Southwest Florida over the past week. Additional details are provided below. Please note: We are continuing to process samples, but are experiencing a reduction in sampling by FWRI staff and partners due to COVID-19 concerns. 

• In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at very low concentrations in one sample collected offshore of Monroe County.
• In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
• Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.

No fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported over the past week (please see https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline).

No reports of respiratory irritation were received over the past week.

Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas to northern Monroe counties predict variable transport of surface waters with net northern movement, and net southeastern movement of subsurface waters in most areas over the next four days.

The next complete status report will be issued on Friday, April 3^rd. Please check our daily sampling map, which can be accessed via the online status report on our Red Tide Current Status page. For more information on algal blooms and water quality, please visit Protecting Florida Together.

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.