The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in Southwest Florida and in one sample on the East Coast during the week ending Jan. 22.
K. brevis was at background to medium concentrations in or offshore of Manatee County, background to low concentrations in Pinellas County, background to low concentrations in or offshore of Hillsborough County, very low to medium concentrations in or offshore of Sarasota County, background to medium concentrations in or offshore of Charlotte County, background to low concentrations in or offshore of Lee County, background to high concentrations offshore of Collier County and very low to medium concentrations offshore of Monroe County.
Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received from Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota and Collier counties.
Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported via the Beach Conditions Reporting System in Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota counties.
For more information, go online to myfwc.com.