A patchy bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida, where it was detected in 57 samples the week ending May 30.
Red tide was observed at background to medium concentrations in Manatee County in 15 samples, including low concentrations in samples from Anna Maria Sound and near the south Sunshine Skyway pier and medium concentrations near Joe Island in lower Tampa Bay.
K. brevis also was observed at very low concentrations in Pinellas County, background to low concentrations in Hillsborough County, background to very low concentrations in Sarasota County, very low and low concentrations in Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in Lee County and low to high concentrations in Collier County.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported in Manatee, Lee, and Collier counties.
Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported in Lee County.
For more information, go online to myfwc.com/research/redtide.