Presence of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was diminishing, detected in just two samples from Florida’s Gulf coast the week ending March 23. The week prior, testing found K. brevis at 16 sites on the coast.
K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected from Pinellas County and one sample from Gulf County.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported from Sarasota County.
Respiratory irritation was not reported. For more information, go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission site at myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/.