The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 37 samples from Florida’s Gulf coast the week ending March 2.
K. brevis was observed at background to low concentrations in and offshore of Manatee County, background to very low concentrations in Pinellas, very low and low concentrations in Hillsborough, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Sarasota, background and low concentrations offshore of Charlotte, background concentrations offshore of Collier and background to medium concentrations offshore of Monroe.
Concentrations were very low off Egmont Key in Tampa Bay and off Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. No red tide was present in the samples from Anna Maria’s bayside.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported from Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, and Monroe. Respiratory irritation was reported in Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, 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/.