Red Tide Status Update for November 21, 2018
Current Conditions
Bloom concentrations of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persist on Florida’s Southwest and Northwest coasts. Patchiness occurred in both areas. On the East Coast, bloom concentrations of K. brevis were not observed. Additional details are provided below.
In Southwest Florida, observations of >1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter (“high” concentrations) occurred in and/or offshore of Pinellas to Lee counties. Relative to last week, K. brevis concentrations decreased in parts of Pinellas County, increased in some parts of Sarasota County and decreased in others, and increased in parts of Charlotte County. In Northwest Florida, “medium” concentrations of K. brevis were observed in Santa Rosa, Bay and Gulf counties.
- In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to high concentrations in or offshore of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and Lee counties and in Charlotte County. Very low concentrations were observed in Collier 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, low to medium concentrations in Santa Rosa County, very low to medium concentrations in Bay County, very low to medium concentrations in Gulf County, and background concentrations offshore of 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 to very low concentrations in Palm Beach County and very low concentrations offshore of Broward County. For additional information, view the east coast report and map .
Fish Kills
In Southwest Florida, fish kill reports were received for multiple locations in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties. In Northwest Florida, a fish kill was reported in Bay County and on the East Coast, a fish kill was reported in Palm Beach County. More detailed information is available at http://myfwc.com/fishkill.
Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida (in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and Lee counties), Northwest Florida (in Okaloosa County), and on the East Coast (Palm Beach County). 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 southwestern movement of surface waters and southeastern movement of subsurface waters in most areas over the next four days. Four-day forecasts for Escambia to Gulf counties predict net southern movement of surface waters and net eastern transport of subsurface waters in most areas.
Red Tide Status Map (November 21, 2018)
View a larger map (November 21, 2018)
To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the Statewide Google Earth Interactive Map (November 21, 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.
Due to the holiday next week, a complete status report will be issued on Wednesday, November 21st, rather than on Friday. 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 brevis cells/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
|
