The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 16 samples from Florida’s Gulf coast the week ending March 16 but bloom concentrations were not observed.
K. brevis was observed at background to very low concentrations offshore of Manatee County, background concentrations in Pinellas County, background to low concentrations in Hillsborough County and background and very low concentrations in Charlotte 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/.