A bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists along Florida’s Gulf coast, including in Manatee County.
- brevis was observed in Southwest Florida at background to medium concentrations in Manatee, background to high concentrations in or offshore of Pinellas, background to high concentrations in Sarasota County, very low concentrations in Charlotte and background to medium concentrations in or offshore of Lee County.
Fish kills related to red tide were reported in Bay, Gulf, Franklin, Taylor, Dixie, Pinellas, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Manatee, including at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.
Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported in Manatee, Gulf, Franklin, Pinellas, Sarasota and Lee.
For more information, go online to myfwc.com/research/redtide.
— Lisa Neff