A patchy bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists, including in Manatee County.
The week ending Oct. 3, K. brevis was observed at background to medium concentrations in Manatee County, low to high concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Sarasota County and background to high concentrations in and offshore of Charlotte County.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported in or offshore of Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, Pinellas, Okaloosa, Walton, Dixie and Levy counties.
On Anna Maria Island, fish kills — mostly baitfish and eel — were reported to the state Sept. 23, including from the Gulf of Mexico shore at Manatee Public Beach, Bean Point in Anna Maria and in Bradenton Beach.
Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported over the past week in Manatee, Okaloosa, Walton and Sarasota counties.
For more information, go online to myfwc.com/research/redtide.
— Lisa Neff