Red Tide Report (Update)
Posted by on Friday Oct 19, 2018 11:53 am
Red Tide Mid-Week Update for October 17, 2018
Current Conditions
Bloom concentrations of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persist on Florida’s Southwest, Northwest, and East coasts. Patchiness was 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 Monroe counties. Relative to last week, cell concentrations were similar in most areas but increased in parts of Monroe County, and decreased in parts of Manatee County. Observations of >1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter (“high” concentrations) occurred at one site each in Pinellas and Sarasota counties; medium concentrations of K. brevis also occurred only in these counties.
- In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed in or offshore of Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties, with “medium” concentrations occurring in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties.
- On the East Coast over the past week, observations of K. brevis spanned Brevard to Miami-Dade counties. “High” concentrations were observed at one site in Indian River County, and “medium” concentrations occurred in Indian River and Broward counties. Relative to last week, cell concentrations increased in Indian River County and decreased in parts of St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties.
Fish Kills
In Southwest Florida, reports of fish kills were received for Pinellas and Sarasota counties. In Northwest Florida, reports of fish kills were received for Okaloosa and Pasco counties. Along the East Coast of Florida, reports of fish kills were received for Brevard, Indian River, Palm Beach and Broward counties.
Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida (in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties), Northwest Florida (in Escambia and Okaloosa counties), and the East Coast (in Brevard and Indian River counties).
Forecast
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas to southern Monroe counties predict net northwestern transport of surface waters and southeastern movement of subsurface waters over the next three days. Three-day forecasts for Northwest Florida predict net western transport of surface waters and northeastern movement of subsurface waters from Escambia to western Gulf counties.
Red Tide Status Map (October 17, 2018)
View a larger map  (October 17, 2018)
To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for October 17, 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
|
Filed under Information Tags: boating Red tide Safety Sarasota & Bradenton Boating Stump Pass Marina Venice
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