Red Tide Mid-week Update for October 31, 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 over the past week, K. brevis was observed in samples spanning Pinellas to Monroe counties. Relative to last week, K. brevis concentrations generally increased from southern Pinellas to Collier counties. Observations of >1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter (“high” concentrations) occurred in and/or offshore of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. “Medium” K. brevis concentrations were detected in these same areas, and in and/or offshore of Charlotte and northern Lee counties
- In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed in and/or offshore of Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Bay Counties, with “medium” concentrations observed in and/or offshore of these counties, and “high” concentrations occurring only in Bay County samples.
- Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was observed from Brevard 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. brevis concentrations increased in parts of Brevard, Indian River, and Martin counties and decreased in Palm Beach County.
Fish Kills
In Southwest Florida, reports of fish kills were received for Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota 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 Palm Beach counties.
Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida (in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and Lee counties).
Forecast
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides
for Pinellas to Monroe counties predict net northern transport of surface waters and net southern movement of subsurface waters in most areas over the next three days. Three-day forecasts for Escambia to western Gulf counties predict net eastern surface transport and net northeastern subsurface movement in most areas.
Red Tide Status Map (October 31, 2018)
View a larger map 
(October 31, 2018)
To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for October 31, 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.
The next complete red tide status report will be posted on Friday, November 2nd. 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
|
