Over the past week, through Oct. 25, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 49 samples collected from Southwest Florida.
Bloom concentrations of up to 100,000 cells/liter were present in nine samples: five offshore of Pinellas County, two offshore of Manatee County and two offshore of Sarasota County.
Surface patches of elevated chlorophyll persist offshore of Southwest Florida and appear to have shifted south over the past week, consistent with surface currents during this time frame. Offshore sampling helped verify that patches offshore of Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota contained bloom concentrations of K. brevis. Patches are shifting daily as a result of winds and ocean currents, and FWC is working closely with partners at USF and NOAA NCCOS to monitor these critical datastreams.
Fish kills were reported offshore in Pinellas County and there no reports of irritation to humans.