Red Tide Mid-Week Update for October 10, 2018
Current Conditions
Bloom concentrations of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persist in Southwest, Northwest, and Southeast Florida, with patchiness observed in each region. Additional details are provided below.
- Over the past week in Southwest Florida, patchy concentrations of K. brevis were observed from Pinellas to Lee counties. Relative to last week, cell concentrations decreased in some areas of Manatee County, and most parts of Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties. Observations of >1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter (“high” concentrations) occurred at only three sites (in Pinellas and Manatee counties and offshore of Charlotte County). “Medium” concentrations occurred in and/or offshore of those same counties and in Sarasota County.
- In Northwest Florida, K. brevis was observed in or offshore of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Pasco counties, with “medium” concentrations occurring only in Bay County.
- On the East Coast, K. brevis was observed in or offshore of St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. “High” concentrations were observed at one site in Palm Beach County, and “medium” concentrations occurred in St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach counties and in and offshore of Miami-Dade County.
Fish Kills
In Southwest Florida, reports of fish kills were received for locations in or offshore of Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. In Northwest Florida, reports of fish kills were received for Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, and Gulf counties. Along the East Coast of Florida, reports of fish kills were received for Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties.
Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation was reported in Southwest Florida (in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and Lee counties), in Northwest Florida (in Escambia and Okaloosa counties), and along the East Coast of Florida (in Broward County) over the past week.
Forecast
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides
for Pasco to northern Monroe counties predict a reversal from northern to southern transport of surface waters and net southeastern movement of subsurface waters for most areas over the next three days. Three-day forecasts for Northwest Florida predict net western transport of surface waters and minimal net movement of subsurface waters from Escambia to western Gulf counties.
The next complete red tide status report will be posted on Friday, October 12th.
Red Tide Status Map (October 10, 2018)
View a larger map 
(October 10, 2018)
To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for October 10, 2018.
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 website.
Archived status maps can be found in our Flickr gallery. Previous regional status reports and maps can be found on our red tide resources page.
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.
| Description | Karenia breviscells/liter | Possible 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
|
