Red tide remains in local waters
A bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists on the Gulf Coast and in Tampa Bay.
Water quality conditions remain improved in most areas of Tampa Bay relative to prior weeks.
Over the past week, bloom concentrations greater than 100,000 cells/liter were observed in 59 samples, including in Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.
K. brevis was observed at background to high concentrations in Manatee, as well as background to high concentrations in Pinellas, background to medium concentrations in Hillsborough, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Sarasota, background to high concentrations in Charlotte, background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Lee and background to very low concentrations in Collier.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported in Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee. In Manatee, dead fish were found at Coquina Beach and around Longboat Pass.
Respiratory irritation related to red tide was reported in Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota and Lee.
For more information, go online to myfwc.com/research/redtide.