Red Tide Report (Update)

Posted by on Monday Oct 22, 2018 10:06 am

Red Tide Status Update for October 19, 2018

Current Conditions
Bloom concentrations of the 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.

In Southwest Florida, relative to last week K. brevis concentrations increased slightly in areas of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee and Collier counties, but “high” (>1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter) and “medium” concentrations occurred only in or offshore of Pinellas and Sarasota counties. In Northwest Florida, “high” concentrations of K. brevis were observed in one Santa Rosa county sample and “medium” concentrations occurred in Santa Rosa and Okaloosa county samples. On the East Coast, three coastal samples from Brevard and Indian River counties contained “high” concentrations of K. brevis, and medium cell concentrations were observed at multiple sites in Brevard, Indian River, and St. Lucie counties, and one site in Broward County. Relative to last week K. brevis concentrations generally increased in Brevard and Indian River counties, and decreased in areas of Martin, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.

• In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to high concentrations in or offshore of Pinellas County, background to low concentrations in Manatee County, background to high concentrations in Sarasota County, background to very low concentrations in Charlotte County, very low concentrations in or offshore of Lee County, background to very low concentrations in or offshore of Collier County, and background to low concentrations in or offshore of Monroe County. For additional information, view the southwest coast report and map . 
• In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at very low concentrations in or offshore of Escambia County, medium to high concentrations in Santa Rosa County, low to medium concentrations in offshore of Okaloosa County, very low concentrations in Walton County, background concentrations offshore of Dixie County, and low concentrations in offshore Pasco County. For additional information, view the northwest coast report  and map .
• Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in Volusia County, background to high concentrations in Brevard County, very low to high concentrations in Indian River County, background to medium concentrations in or offshore of St. Lucie County, background to low concentrations in Martin County, background to low concentrations in Palm Beach County, background to medium concentrations in or offshore of Broward County, and background to very low concentrations in or offshore of Miami-Dade County. For additional information, view the east coast report  and map .

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, Walton, and Bay counties and offshore Pasco county. Along the East Coast of Florida, reports of fish kills were received for Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach counties.

Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida (in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties). Respiratory irritation was also reported in Northwest Florida (in Okaloosa County) and the Florida East Coast (in Brevard and Indian River counties). For additional information, view the southwest coast report , the northwest coast report , and the east coast report .

Forecast
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pasco to northern Monroe counties predict net southwestern transport of surface waters and southeastern movement of subsurface waters for most areas over the next three days. Three-day forecasts for Escambia to western Gulf counties predict net southwestern transport of surface waters and northeastern movement of subsurface waters.

Red Tide Status Map (October 19, 2018)

View a larger map  (October 19, 2018)

To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for October 19, 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.

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Tags:   boat safety  Red tide  Safety  Sarasota & Bradenton Boating  Stump Pass Marina  Venice

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