Red Tide Report (Update)

Posted by on Thursday Oct 25, 2018 9:56 am

Red Tide Mid-Week Update for October 24, 2018

Current Conditions

Bloom concentrations of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persist on Florida’s Southwest, Northwest, and East coasts. Patchy bloom conditions were observed in each region. Additional details are provided below.

• Over the past week in Southwest Florida, K. brevis was observed in samples spanning Pinellas to Monroe counties. Relative to last week, K. brevis concentrations generally increased from central Pinellas to northern Lee counties and decreased in Monroe County. Observations of >1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter (“high” concentrations) occurred in and/or offshore of Pinellas, Manatee, and northern Sarasota counties only.  “Medium” K. brevis concentrations were detected in these same areas, and in Charlotte and northern Lee counties.
• In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton and Pasco Counties, with “medium” and/or “high” concentrations occurring only in Santa Rosa County samples.
• On the East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was observed from Volusia to Miami-Dade counties. “High” concentrations occurred only in Brevard, Indian River, and St. Lucie counties, and “medium” concentrations occurred in these same general areas but extended further south to Martin County. Relative to last week, K. brevisconcentrations increased in parts of Brevard, St. Lucie and Martin counties and decreased in most of Broward County.

Fish Kills
Reports of fish kills were received in Southwest Florida (from Pinellas, Manatee, and Collier counties) and in Northwest Florida (from Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, and Franklin counties). Along the East Coast of Florida, reports of fish kills were received for Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin counties.

Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida (in Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties), Northwest Florida (in Okaloosa and Bay counties), and the East Coast (in Volusia, Brevard, Indian River and St. Lucie counties).

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

Red Tide Status Map (October 24, 2018)

View a larger map  (October 24, 2018)

To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for October 24, 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.

The next complete red tide status report will be posted on Friday, October 26th. Please check our daily sampling map which can be accessed from this 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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