The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 66 samples from Florida’s Gulf coast the week ending Feb. 16.
In Southwest Florida, K. brevis was observed at background to low concentrations in Manatee County, as well as background to low concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, very low to low concentrations in Hillsborough County, background concentrations in Sarasota County, background to medium concentrations in Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Lee County, background to medium concentrations in Collier County and low to medium concentrations offshore of Monroe County.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported from Manatee, Charlotte, Lee, Collier and Monroe counties. Respiratory irritation was reported in Charlotte, Lee, Collier and Monroe counties.
For more information, go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission site at myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/.