All entries for August 2018
Posted by on Sunday Aug 26, 2018 11:56 am
Red Tide Status Update for August 24, 2018
Current Conditions
A bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida and currently extends from Pinellas to Collier counties along ~145 miles of coastline. Observations of >1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter (“high” concentrations) continue to occur at coastal and inshore sites from Manatee to northern Collier counties, and minimal change in cell concentrations was observed for most areas relative to last week. Coastal currents important for transporting cells of K. brevis continue to alternate between predominantly northern or southern flow. Aerial surveys from Pinellas to northern Charlotte counties indicated the presence of offshore blooms of the marine cyanobacterium, Trichodesmium. More specific details are provided below.
- In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to medium concentrations in Pinellas County, very low to high concentrations in Manatee County, background to high concentrations in Sarasota County, low to high concentrations in or offshore of Charlotte County, very low to high concentrations in or offshore of Lee County, and background to high concentrations 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 background concentrations in one sample collected from Escambia County. For additional information, view the Northwest Coast report and map .
- Additional samples collected along the east coast of Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis. For additional information, view the East Coast report and map .
Fish Kills
Over the past week, reports were received for multiple locations in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. More detailed information is available at http://myfwc.com/fishkill.
Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties. For additional information, view the Southwest Coast report .
Forecast
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas to northern Monroe counties predict variable movement of surface waters, with net southern transport in most offshore areas and net northern transport close to shore, and net southeastern transport of subsurface waters over the next three days.
Red Tide Status Map (August 24, 2018)
View a larger map (August 24, 2018)
To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for August 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.
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
|
Posted by on Saturday Aug 18, 2018 8:14 am
Red Tide Status Update for August 17, 2018
Current Conditions
A bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida and currently extends along ~130 miles of coastline. Observations of >1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter (“high” concentrations) continue to occur at coastal and inshore sites from Manatee to Collier counties, although cell concentrations decreased in parts of Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties relative to last week. Coastal currents important for transporting cells of K. brevis continue to alternate between predominantly northern or southern flow. K. brevis was observed in Pinellas County (for the second week in a row), and additional sampling there and in Hillsborough County indicated that concentrations were below 100,000 cells per liter in all samples examined. More specific details are provided below.
- In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to low concentrations in Pinellas County, very low concentrations in or offshore of Hillsborough County, background to high concentrations in Manatee County, background to high concentrations in or offshore of Sarasota County, background to high concentrations in or offshore of Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in or offshore of Lee County, and very low to high concentrations 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 background concentrations in one sample collected from Santa Rosa County. For additional information, view the northwest coast report and map .
- Additional samples collected along the east coast of Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis. For additional information, view the east coast report and map .
Fish Kills
Over the past week, reports were received for multiple locations in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. More detailed information is available at /fishkill.
Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Pinellas County, Manatee County, Sarasota County, Lee County, and Collier County. For additional information, view the southwest coast report .
Forecast
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas to northern Monroe counties predict variable movement of surface waters with net northern transport expected close to shore, and net southeastern transport of subsurface waters over the next three days.
Red Tide Status Map (August 17, 2018)
View a larger map (August 17, 2018)
To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for August 17, 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.
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
|
Posted by on Saturday Aug 11, 2018 9:31 am
Red Tide Status Report (August 10, 2018)
A bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to low concentrations in two samples collected from Pinellas County, very low to high concentrations in eight samples collected from Manatee County, very low to high concentrations in 29 samples collected from Sarasota County, very low to high concentrations in 13 samples collected from or offshore of Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in 40 samples collected from or offshore of Lee County, and background to high concentrations in 12 samples collected from Collier County.
Additional samples collected throughout Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis.
We continue to receive reports of fish kills in Southwest Florida. Over the past week, reports were received for multiple locations in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties, and one location in Charlotte County. More detailed information is available at http://myfwc.com/fishkill.
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Manatee County (8/3-8/10 at Coquina Beach, 8/3-8/4 and 8/6-8/10 at Manatee Beach), Sarasota County (8/2 and 8/5-8/10 at Lido Key; 8/2-8/4 and 8/6-8/10 at Manasota Beach; 8/2-8/4 and 8/6-8/10 at Nokomis; 8/2 and 8/4-8/10 at Siesta Key; 8/2-8/3, 8/7, and 8/10 at Venice Beach; 8/2-8/4 and 8/6-8/10 at Venice North Jetty), Lee County (8/2-8/4 and 8/8-8/10 at Bonita Beach; 8/3-8/9 at Bowman’s Beach; 8/3 and 8/7-8/10 at Captiva; 8/3-8/4 and 8/10 at Causeway Islands; 8/3 and 8/6-8/10 at Gasparilla Island; 8/2 and 8/6-8/10 at Light House Beach; 8/3-8/5 and 8/8 at Lovers Key State Park; 8/2, 8/6 and 8/8 at Lynn Hall Beach Park; 8/2-8/5 at Newton Park), and Collier County (8/2-8/4 at Barefoot Beach; 8/2 and 8/9 at Seagate Beach; 8/2 at South Marco Beach; 8/2 and 8/9 at Vanderbilt Beach).
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 transport of subsurface waters for most areas over the next three days.
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.
Red Tide Status Map (August 10, 2018)
View a larger map  (PDF 278KB) (August 10, 2018)
Regional Status Reports and Maps (August 10, 2018)
Southwest coast report (PDF 257KB) and map (PDF 383KB)
East coast report (PDF 44KB) and map (PDF 400KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 59KB) and map (PDF 461KB)
To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for August 10, 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 FWRI Red Tide Status Line is now available to callers throughout the state. FWRI updates the recording each Friday by 5 p.m. Red Tide Status Line: 866-300-9399 (toll-free inside Florida only); 727-552-2448 (outside Florida).
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.
FWC's Red Tide Action Report
Red tide is a naturally-occurring microscopic alga that has been documented along Florida’s Gulf Coast since the 1840’s and occurs nearly every year. Blooms, or higher-than-normal concentrations, of the Florida red tide alga, Karenia brevis, frequently occur in the Gulf of Mexico. Red tide begins in the Gulf of Mexico 10 to 40 miles offshore and can be transported inshore by winds and currents.
FWC Actions and Partnerships:
- FWC operates the toll-free fish kill hotline. To report fish kills, contact the FWC Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511 or submit a report online. Reports from this hotline help FWC researchers track and better understand the impact of red tide in Florida.
- FWC remains available to local agencies and partners in affected areas, including area business and tourism groups in southwest Florida. Any local agency or group that has any questions or concerns can contact FWRI at 727-896-8626.
- FWC continues to partner with the Florida Department of Health to advise residents and visitors of any potential health impacts. Residents and visitors can contact the DOH’s aquatic toxin experts at 850-245-4250 or contact their local health department for any concern about health safety.
- FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and Mote Marine Laboratory work together to monitor Karenia brevis. This cooperative effort is designed to help mitigate the adverse impacts of red tide. This joint research program that includes red tide monitoring, research and public outreach and education has resulted in better tools and ongoing monitoring for red tides along the Gulf Coast.
- In partnership with the FWC, the Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides (CPR) at the University of South Florida offer a new Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) tracking tool that generates a 3.5-day forecast of the bloom trajectories.
- To protect public health, FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) group closely monitors the status of K. brevis on Florida’s coasts, providing technical support to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the agency that regulates approved shellfish harvesting areas.
- Since 2000, FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute established a Red Tide Offshore Monitoring Program, which is a volunteer program for citizens to help collect water samples from routine collection points and sites reported for suspected harmful algal blooms (HABs).The timely sampling by volunteers allows researchers to provide an early warning of offshore algal blooms and investigate reported events as they occur. The Program needs volunteers to collect samples from all coastal Florida counties. To view more information visit, Red Tide Offshore Monitoring Program or use the Volunteer SignUp Form.
Red Tide Resources
Previous Regional Status Reports and Maps
August 3, 2018
Southwest coast report (PDF 237KB) and map (PDF 383KB)
East coast report (PDF 55KB) and map (PDF 401KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 48KB) and map (PDF 464KB)
Google Earth map
July 27, 2018
Southwest coast report (PDF 225KB) and map (PDF 382KB)
East coast report (PDF 45KB) and map (PDF 271KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 55KB) and map (PDF 463KB)
Google Earth map
July 20, 2018
Southwest coast report (PDF 233KB) and map (PDF 385KB)
East coast report (PDF 54KB) and map (PDF 400KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 38KB) and map (PDF 464KB)
Google Earth map
July 13, 2018
Southwest coast report (PDF 123KB) and map (PDF 292KB)
East coast report (PDF 64KB) and map (PDF 401KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 45KB) and map (PDF 347KB)
Google Earth map
Additional archived status maps can be found on Flickr
Key for Results
| 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
|
Hotlines and Information Sources
Posted by on Monday Aug 6, 2018 11:33 am
Red Tide Status Report (August 3, 2018)
A bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in two samples collected from Pinellas County, background concentrations in two samples collected from Manatee County, background to high concentrations in 24 samples collected from or offshore of Sarasota County, low to high concentrations in 10 samples collected from Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in 27 samples collected from or offshore of Lee County, and very low to high concentrations in nine samples collected from Collier County.
Additional samples collected throughout Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis.
We continue to receive reports of fish kills in Southwest Florida. Over the past week, reports were received for two locations in Manatee County, and multiple locations in Sarasota County, in Charlotte County, in and offshore of Lee County, and in and offshore of Collier County. More detailed information is available at http://myfwc.com/fishkill.
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Manatee County (8/3 at Coquina Beach), Sarasota County (7/28 and 8/1-8/2 at Lido Key; 7/26-7/28, and 7/31-8/3 at Manasota Beach; 7/26-8/3 at Nokomis; 7/26 and 7/30-8/2 at Siesta Key; 7/26-7/29 and 7/31-8/3 at Venice Beach; 7/26-8/3 at Venice North Jetty), Lee County (7/26-8/3 at Bonita Beach; 7/31-8/3 at Bowman’s Beach; 7/26-7/27, 7/30 and 8/1 at Captiva; 7/27-7/29, 8/1 and 8/3 at Causeway Islands; 7/26-8/3 at Gasparilla Island; 7/31 and 8/2 at Light House Beach; 7/26-7/27, 7/30-8/1 and 8/3 at Lovers Key State Park; 7/26-7/28, 7/30-7/31 and 8/2 at Lynn Hall Beach Park; 7/27 and 7/29-8/2 at Newton Park), and Collier County (7/26-8/2 at Barefoot Beach; 7/29-8/2 at Seagate Beach; 7/26, 7/28, and 8/2 at South Marco Beach; 8/2 at Vanderbilt Beach).
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas to northern Monroe counties predict net northwestern transport of surface waters and southeastern movement of subsurface waters for most areas over the next three days.
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.
Red Tide Status Map (August 3, 2018)
View a larger map (PDF 276KB) (August 3, 2018)
Regional Status Reports and Maps (August 3, 2018)
Southwest coast report (PDF 237KB) and map (PDF 383KB)
East coast report (PDF 55KB) and map (PDF 401KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 48KB) and map (PDF 464KB)
To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for August 3, 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 FWRI Red Tide Status Line is now available to callers throughout the state. FWRI updates the recording each Friday by 5 p.m. Red Tide Status Line: 866-300-9399 (toll-free inside Florida only); 727-552-2448 (outside Florida).
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.
FWC's Red Tide Action Report
Red tide is a naturally-occurring microscopic alga that has been documented along Florida’s Gulf Coast since the 1840’s and occurs nearly every year. Blooms, or higher-than-normal concentrations, of the Florida red tide alga, Karenia brevis, frequently occur in the Gulf of Mexico. Red tide begins in the Gulf of Mexico 10 to 40 miles offshore and can be transported inshore by winds and currents.
FWC Actions and Partnerships:
- FWC operates the toll-free fish kill hotline. To report fish kills, contact the FWC Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511 or submit a report online. Reports from this hotline help FWC researchers track and better understand the impact of red tide in Florida.
- FWC remains available to local agencies and partners in affected areas, including area business and tourism groups in southwest Florida. Any local agency or group that has any questions or concerns can contact Kelly Richmond from the FWC at 727-502-4784.
- FWC continues to partner with the Florida Department of Health to advise residents and visitors of any potential health impacts. Residents and visitors can contact the DOH’s aquatic toxin experts at 850-245-4250 or contact their local health department for any concern about health safety.
- FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and Mote Marine Laboratory work together to monitor Karenia brevis. This cooperative effort is designed to help mitigate the adverse impacts of red tide. This joint research program that includes red tide monitoring, research and public outreach and education has resulted in better tools and ongoing monitoring for red tides along the Gulf Coast.
- In partnership with the FWC, the Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides (CPR) at the University of South Florida offer a new Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) tracking tool that generates a 3.5-day forecast of the bloom trajectories.
- To protect public health, FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) group closely monitors the status of K. brevis on Florida’s coasts, providing technical support to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the agency that regulates approved shellfish harvesting areas.
- Since 2000, FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute established a Red Tide Offshore Monitoring Program, which is a volunteer program for citizens to help collect water samples from routine collection points and sites reported for suspected harmful algal blooms (HABs).The timely sampling by volunteers allows researchers to provide an early warning of offshore algal blooms and investigate reported events as they occur. The Program needs volunteers to collect samples from all coastal Florida counties. To view more information visit, Red Tide Offshore Monitoring Program or use the Volunteer SignUp Form.
Red Tide Resources
Previous Regional Status Reports and Maps
July 27, 2018
Southwest coast report (PDF 225KB) and map (PDF 382KB)
East coast report (PDF 45KB) and map (PDF 271KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 55KB) and map (PDF 463KB)
Google Earth map
July 20, 2018
Southwest coast report (PDF 233KB) and map (PDF 385KB)
East coast report (PDF 54KB) and map (PDF 400KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 38KB) and map (PDF 464KB)
Google Earth map
July 13, 2018
Southwest coast report (PDF 123KB) and map (PDF 292KB)
East coast report (PDF 64KB) and map (PDF 401KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 45KB) and map (PDF 347KB)
Google Earth map
July 6, 2018
Southwest coast report (PDF 141KB) and map (PDF 403KB)
East coast report (PDF 45KB) and map (PDF 290KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 42KB) and map (PDF 479KB)
Google Earth map
Additional archived status maps can be found on Flickr
Key for Results
| 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
|
Hotlines and Information Sources
Posted by on Wednesday Aug 1, 2018 12:53 pm
Red Tide Status Report (July 27, 2018)
A bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida.
In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to high concentrations in 15 samples collected from Sarasota County, very low to high concentrations in four samples collected from Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in 19 samples collected from or offshore of Lee County, and background to high concentrations in 10 samples collected from Collier County.
In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected from Gulf County.
Additional samples collected throughout Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis.
Over the past week, fish kills were reported in Southwest Florida in Sarasota County (Brohard Beach, Manasota Beach, Nokomis, Venice Beach, Venice North Jetty, Venice Pier), Charlotte County (Bull Bay, Englewood Beach, Lemon Bay), Lee County (Blind Pass Beach, Bonita Beach, Bowman’s Beach, Captiva Beach, Causeway Islands, Cayo Costa, Fort Myers Beach, Gasparilla Island, Laika Lane, Lovers Key State Park, Lynn Hall Beach Park, Newton Park, Sanibel Beach, Sunset Beach, Turner Beach) and Collier County (Barefoot Beach, Doctors Pass, Edgewater Beach, Gordon Pass, Lowdermilk Park, Naples Pier, Park Shore Beach, Tigertail Beach, Vanderbilt Beach).
Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Sarasota County (7/19 at Lido Key; 7/20-7/24 and 7/26-7/27 at Manasota Beach; 7/19-7/22 and 7/24-7/27 at Nokomis; 7/26 at Siesta Key; 7/19-7/24 and 7/26-7/27 at Venice Beach; 7/19-7/27 at Venice North Jetty), Lee County (7/21-7/22 and 7/25-7/27 at Bonita Beach; 7/22 and 7/24-7/25 at Bowman’s Beach; 7/23-7/26 at Captiva; 7/27 at Causeway Islands; 7/19 at Cayo Costa; 7/20-7/27 at Gasparilla Island; 7/24 at Light House Beach; 7/25-7/27 at Lovers Key State Park; 7/25-7/26 at Lynn Hall Beach Park), and Collier County (7/21-7/22 and 7/24-7/26 at Barefoot Beach; 7/23 at Doctors Pass and Gordons Pass; 7/23 at Park Shore Beach; 7/25-7/26 at South Marco Beach).
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas to northern Monroe counties predict net southeastern transport of surface and subsurface waters for most areas over the next three days.
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.
Red Tide Status Map (July 27, 2018)
View a larger map (PDF 393KB) (July 27, 2018)
Regional Status Reports and Maps (July 27, 2018)
Southwest coast report (PDF 225KB) and map (PDF 382KB)
East coast report (PDF 45KB) and map (PDF 271KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 55KB) and map (PDF 463KB)
To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for July 27, 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 FWRI Red Tide Status Line is now available to callers throughout the state. FWRI updates the recording each Friday by 5 p.m. Red Tide Status Line: 866-300-9399 (toll-free inside Florida only); 727-552-2448 (outside Florida).
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.
FWC's Red Tide Action Report
Red tide is a naturally-occurring microscopic alga that has been documented along Florida’s Gulf Coast since the 1840’s and occurs nearly every year. Blooms, or higher-than-normal concentrations, of the Florida red tide alga, Karenia brevis, frequently occur in the Gulf of Mexico. Red tide begins in the Gulf of Mexico 10 to 40 miles offshore and can be transported inshore by winds and currents.
FWC Actions and Partnerships:
- FWC operates the toll-free fish kill hotline. To report fish kills, contact the FWC Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511 or submit a report online. Reports from this hotline help FWC researchers track and better understand the impact of red tide in Florida.
- FWC remains available to local agencies and partners in affected areas, including area business and tourism groups in southwest Florida. Any local agency or group that has any questions or concerns can contact Kelly Richmond from the FWC at 727-502-4784.
- FWC continues to partner with the Florida Department of Health to advise residents and visitors of any potential health impacts. Residents and visitors can contact the DOH’s aquatic toxin experts at 850-245-4250 or contact their local health department for any concern about health safety.
- FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and Mote Marine Laboratory work together to monitor Karenia brevis. This cooperative effort is designed to help mitigate the adverse impacts of red tide. This joint research program that includes red tide monitoring, research and public outreach and education has resulted in better tools and ongoing monitoring for red tides along the Gulf Coast.
- In partnership with the FWC, the Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides (CPR) at the University of South Florida offer a new Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) tracking tool that generates a 3.5-day forecast of the bloom trajectories.
- To protect public health, FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) group closely monitors the status of K. brevis on Florida’s coasts, providing technical support to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the agency that regulates approved shellfish harvesting areas.
- Since 2000, FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute established a Red Tide Offshore Monitoring Program, which is a volunteer program for citizens to help collect water samples from routine collection points and sites reported for suspected harmful algal blooms (HABs).The timely sampling by volunteers allows researchers to provide an early warning of offshore algal blooms and investigate reported events as they occur. The Program needs volunteers to collect samples from all coastal Florida counties. To view more information visit, Red Tide Offshore Monitoring Program or use the Volunteer SignUp Form.
Red Tide Resources
Previous Regional Status Reports and Maps
July 20, 2018
Southwest coast report (PDF 233KB) and map (PDF 385KB)
East coast report (PDF 54KB) and map (PDF 400KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 38KB) and map (PDF 464KB)
Google Earth map
July 13, 2018
Southwest coast report (PDF 123KB) and map (PDF 292KB)
East coast report (PDF 64KB) and map (PDF 401KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 45KB) and map (PDF 347KB)
Google Earth map
July 6, 2018
Southwest coast report (PDF 141KB) and map (PDF 403KB)
East coast report (PDF 45KB) and map (PDF 290KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 42KB) and map (PDF 479KB)
Google Earth map
June 29, 2018
Southwest coast report (PDF 254KB) and map (PDF 274KB)
East coast report (PDF 58KB) and map (PDF 441KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 55KB) and map (PDF 512KB)
Google Earth map
Additional archived status maps can be found on Flickr
Key for Results
| 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
|
Hotlines and Information Sources
|
