A bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists on the Florida Gulf Coast but has diminished since mid-July.
Over the past week, bloom concentrations of greater than 100,000 cells/liter were observed in 56 samples, including two from Manatee County.
K. brevis was observed at background to high concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, background concentrations in Hillsborough County, background to medium concentrations in Manatee County, low to high concentrations in Sarasota County, medium concentrations in Charlotte County and background to medium concentrations in Lee County.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported in Southwest Florida in Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties over the past week. In Manatee, fish kills were reported in Bradenton Beach, including puffer and eel; and in Holmes Beach, including goliath grouper. Also, a dead manatee was reported from the island.
Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported in Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.
For more information, go online to myfwc.com/research/redtide.