Red Tide continues to be found in area waters

Blooms of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, are present along and offshore of Bay and Gulf counties in northwest Florida, and along and offshore of Manatee, Sarasota, and northern Charlotte counties in Southwest Florida. Background to high concentrations of K. brevis were detected in 12 samples collected in and alongshore of Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties, and background concentrations were detected in one sample collected offshore of Levy County. In addition, K. brevis has been detected in background to low concentrations in 26 samples collected in, along, and offshore of Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties. Within the Gulf of Mexico, Karenia brevis was not detected in or alongshore of Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton, Wakulla, Pinellas, or Collier counties. No samples have been analyzed so far this week from Santa Rosa, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, or Monroe counties. Extensive fish kills have been reported at Mexico Beach (Bay County) in Northwest Florida. Respiratory irritation has not been recently reported, but is possible in bloom areas. Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides show little net movement of bloom patches over the next three 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 come like our page and learn interesting facts concerning red tide and other harmful algal blooms in Florida.

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