Red Tide Report (Update)

Red Tide Status Update for September 28, 2018

Weekly Change September 22 to 28
 

Current Conditions
A bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida and extends along ~130 miles of coastline, from northern Pinellas to southern Lee counties, and extends offshore (10 miles or more). A patchy bloom of K. brevis also continues in Northwest Florida. Additional details are provided below.

Over the past week in Southwest Florida, K. brevis concentrations generally decreased in areas of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Collier counties, creating patchier bloom conditions along the coast. Observations of >1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter (“high” concentrations) occurred in Manatee, Sarasota, and Lee counties and >10 miles offshore of Hillsborough County, but at fewer sites relative to last week. In Northwest Florida, K. brevis was observed in or offshore of Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Pasco counties, with up to “medium” concentrations observed in Bay and Gulf counties. Relative to last week, cell counts increased in areas of Bay County and decreased in Okaloosa County.

  • In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to medium concentrations in or offshore of Pinellas County, low to high concentrations offshore of Hillsborough County, background to high concentrations in Manatee County, background to high concentrations in or offshore of Sarasota County, background to medium concentrations in Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in or offshore of Lee County, and low concentrations in Collier County. For additional information, view the southwest coast report Adobe PDF and map Adobe PDF

  • In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at very low concentrations offshore of Walton County, low to medium concentrations in Bay County, background to medium concentrations in Gulf County, and background to very low concentrations in or offshore of Pasco County. For additional information, view the northwest coast report Adobe PDF and map Adobe PDF.

  • Samples collected along the east coast of Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis. For additional information, view the East Coast report Adobe PDF and map Adobe PDF.

Fish Kills
In Southwest Florida, reports of fish kills were received for multiple locations in and/or offshore of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties. In Northwest Florida, reports of fish kills were received for Walton, Bay and Gulf counties. More detailed information is available at http://myfwc.com/fishkill.

Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation was reported in Southwest Florida (in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties). Respiratory irritation was not reported in Northwest Florida over the past week. For additional information, view the Southwest Coast report Adobe PDF.

Forecast
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red TidesExternal Website for Pinellas to northern Monroe counties predict net northwestern movement of surface waters and southeastern transport of subsurface waters for most areas over the next three days. Three-day forecasts for Northwest Florida predict net southeastern transport of surface waters and northeastern movement of subsurface waters from Escambia to western Gulf counties. Forecasts for Pasco County predict net northwestern transport at the surface and eastern movement of subsurface waters over the next 3 days.

Red Tide Status Map (September 28, 2018)
Statewide Red Tide Counts September 20 through 27, 2018
View a larger map Adobe PDF (September 28, 2018)

To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for September 28, 2018External Website

By using Google Earth, you can zoom in to specific locations and click on stations to see detailed information, including sample date and cell concentration. You must have Google Earth installed on your computer to view this map; the software can be downloaded from the Google Earth websiteExternal Website

Archived status maps can be found in our Flickr gallery.

Latest Red Tide Status Report Available by Phone
Call 866-300-9399 at any time from anywhere in Florida to hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state. Callers outside of Florida can dial 727-552-2448. Standard calling charges apply.

Reports are updated on Friday afternoon except during holidays, in which case the report will be released on the closest day. Additional information, if available, is provided on Wednesday afternoon. To receive an e-mail when the current status has been updated, visit our subscription area.

Additional Information
For additional information about red tide and the current red tide bloom, including information on how to report a fish kill or other wildlife effects, consult health authorities about human exposure, or locate other resources, visit our Red Tide-Related Hotlines and Information Sources article.


Blue-Green Algae Bloom Information
Additional information regarding the current status of algal blooms in South Florida is being consolidated and posted on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s website: https://floridadep.gov/dear/algal-bloom.


 

DescriptionKarenia breviscells/literPossible Effects (K. brevis only)
NOT PRESENT - BACKGROUND background levels of 1,000 cells or less None anticipated
VERY LOW >1,000 to 10,000 Possible respiratory irritation; shellfish harvesting closures > 5,000 cells/L
LOW >10,000 to 100,000 Respiratory irritation, possible fish kills and bloom chlorophyll probably detected by satellites at upper limits
MEDIUM >100,000 to 1,000,000 Respiratory irritation and probable fish kills
HIGH >1,000,000

As above plus discoloration

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Tags:   Bradenton Boat Club  florida  Red tide  Safety  Sarasota & Bradenton Boating  Sarasota Boat Club  Stump Pass Marina  Venice

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