Red Tide continues to be found in water samples taken from Northwest Florida

Red Tide continues to be found in water samples taken from Northwest Florida.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said red tide was observed in or offshore of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin and Wakulla counties.  

It was found this week in very low to medium concentrations in Gulf County.

It was found in 3 water samples taken around the St. Joe Bay on November 26^th, the highest concentrations were near the Port St. Joe Boat ramp.

It was found in background concentrations at Cape San Blas and in very low concentrations at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park.

In Franklin County red tide was found in low concentrations from water samples taken from the west end of St. George Island and in background concentrations at Cat Point in the Apalachicola Bay and at the East end of St. George Island.

It was also found in background concentrations at Bottoms Road Boat Ramp in Wakulla County.

Red Tide is a microscopic marine algae called Karenia brevis.

In large enough concentrations its toxin paralyzes the central nervous system of fish so they cannot breathe – leading to fish kills. 

Red tide can even affect humans causing skin, eye and throat irritation.

To help people see where red tide is having an impact, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has an enhanced, interactive map updated daily of water samples taken from around the state.

This will provide the public with more immediate and accurate red tide data, as researchers process the many water samples from across the state.

The link to the map is available on this story at OysterRadio.com and on the Oyster Radio facebook page.

You can also get more information on-line at MyFWC.com/RedTide.

http://myfwc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=87162eec3eb846218cec711d16462a72

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