The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 46 samples from Florida’s Gulf coast the week ending March 9 but bloom concentrations were not observed.
K. brevis was observed at background to low concentrations in and offshore of Manatee County, background to very low concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, background to low concentrations in and offshore of Hillsborough County, background to low concentrations offshore of Sarasota County, background to very low concentrations in and offshore of Charlotte County, background concentrations in Lee County and background concentrations offshore of Monroe County.
Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported from Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Collier and Monroe. Respiratory irritation was reported in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Collier and Monroe counties.
For more information, go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission site at myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/.