FWC’s Harmful Algal Bloom scientist counting Karenia brevis (red tide) cells during water sample processing.
The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed at background concentrations in Southwest Florida and Northwest Florida over the past week. Additional details are provided below.
- In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample from Pinellas County.
- In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample from Gulf County.
- Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
No fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported this week (please see https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline).
No reports of respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide were reported this week.
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas to northern Monroe counties predict net southeastern transport of surface and subsurface waters over the next four days in most areas.
The next complete status report will be issued on Friday, August 16th. Please check the daily sampling map that can be accessed via the online status report on the Red Tide Current Status page.
This information, including maps and reports with additional details, is also available on the FWRI Red Tide website. The website also provides links to additional information related to the topic of Florida red tide including satellite imagery, experimental red tide forecasts, shellfish harvesting areas, the FWC Fish Kill Hotline, the Florida Poison Information Center (to report human health effects related to exposure to red tide), and other wildlife related hotlines.
