All entries tagged with “safe boating”
Posted by on Thursday Nov 1, 2018 10:44 am
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
|
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 Friday May 24, 2013 3:26 pm
 Memorial Day is just around the corner and boaters everywhere are preparing for a relaxing weekend with friends and family. With millions of people in Florida partaking in activities on the water this weekend, we want to remind you of a few boating safety tips that will ensure a fun and safe weekend for everybody.
5 Safety Tips for a Safe Memorial Day Weekend
1. Always Wear a Life Jacket. Life jackets aren't called "life jackets" for no reason. Always be sure to wear yours and make sure that all young children are equipped as well. We recommend life jackets that have been certified by the U.S. Coast Guard.
2. Have A Plan. It's best to know where you will be in relation to land and other important navigational landmarks, always being able to keep your sense of direction. Currents often cause boats to veer off course and can be troublesome if you're not properly prepared.
3. Forget the Alcohol. The majority of boat accidents are alcohol related, so leaving the cooler on land is not only a good idea, but a life saving opportunity as well. Always be responsible when drinking alcohol.
4. Tell People Where You're Going. Let friends and family know where you'll be planning on boating for the day and what time they should expect you back. They'll be able to call for help in the event of a break
5. Inspect the Boat Prior to Launch. Be sure to give your boat a thorough inspection to make sure that everything is in good working condition. Be sure to have an extra fuel supply on board and all necessary survival items such as signal flares and an inflatable life raft. Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Keep these safety tips in mind and enjoy a fantastic Memorial Day weekend. We'll see you on the water!
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