A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission report April 8 indicated a bloom of Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, persists between in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Pinellas and Lee counties.
Karenia brevis was detected in background at background to very low concentrations in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Fish kills were reported in early April along beaches in Pinellas County. People complained of respiratory irritation in Pinellas, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee.
For more information, go online to myfwc.com/redtidestatus.