The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida.
The week ending May 9, K. brevis was detected in 56 samples.
In Southwest Florida, K. brevis was observed at background to low concentrations in Manatee County.
Also, red tide was found in background to medium concentrations in Sarasota County, low to high concentrations in Charlotte County, background to low concentrations in Lee County and background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Collier County.
Samples from Pinellas and Hillsborough counties did not contain red tide.
Respiratory irritation was reported in Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties.
For more information, go online to myfwc.com/research/redtide.