The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 98 samples from Southwest Florida the week ending Jan. 26.
K. brevis was at very low to medium concentrations in Manatee County, background to low concentrations in Pinellas County, medium concentrations in Hillsborough County, background to high concentrations in Sarasota County, background to high concentrations in Charlotte County, background to medium concentrations in and offshore of both Lee and Collier counties and medium concentrations offshore of Monroe County.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported from Monroe, Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Sarasota counties. Respiratory irritation was reported in Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier and Monroe.
For more information, go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission site at myfwc.com.
— Lisa Neff