Red Tide Status Update for October 26, 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 area. Additional details are provided below.
In Southwest Florida, relative to last week, K. brevis concentrations generally increased from northern Pinellas through Lee counties and decreased in parts of Collier and Monroe counties. Observations of >1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter (“high” concentrations) occurred in Pinellas, Manatee, and northern Sarasota counties only, with “medium” K. brevis concentrations detected from Pinellas to northern Lee counties. For Northwest Florida, “high” concentrations of K. brevis were observed in Bay County, and “medium” concentrations occurred in Bay and Santa Rosa counties. On the East Coast, “high” concentrations of K. brevis occurred in samples from southern Brevard to northern St. Lucie counties, and medium concentrations occurred from southern Brevard to Martin counties. Relative to last week K. brevis concentrations generally increased from Brevard to Martin counties and decreased in areas of Broward County.
- In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to high concentrations in or offshore of Pinellas County, background to high concentrations in or offshore of Manatee County, very low to high concentrations in Sarasota County, very low to medium concentrations in Charlotte County, background to medium concentrations in or offshore of Lee County, background to very low concentrations in Collier County, and background to very 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 low concentrations in Escambia County, medium concentrations in Santa Rosa County, background concentrations in Walton County, background to high concentrations in Bay County, and background concentrations in 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, very low to high concentrations in Brevard County, background to high concentrations in Indian River County, background to high concentrations in St. Lucie County, background to medium concentrations in or offshore of Martin County, background to low concentrations in Palm Beach County, background to low concentrations in 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, Manatee, Sarasota, and Collier counties. In Northwest Florida, reports of fish kills were received for Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, and Franklin counties. Along the East Coast of Florida, reports of fish kills were received for 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). Respiratory irritation was also reported in Northwest Florida (in Okaloosa and Bay counties) and the Florida East Coast (in Brevard and St. Lucie 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 Pinellas to northern Monroe counties predict net southern transport of surface waters and net southeastern movement of subsurface waters for most areas over the next three days. Three-day forecasts for Escambia to western Gulf counties predict variable surface currents with net southeastern transport, and northeastern movement of subsurface waters.
Red Tide Status Map (October 26, 2018)
View a larger map (October 26, 2018)
To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for October 26, 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.
Please check our daily sampling map which can be accessed from the top of this page.
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
|
