Florida’s red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected at background to very low concentrations in 11 samples collected from and offshore of the Gulf Coast, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s October 9 status report.
In Southwest Florida, background concentrations were reported in Pinellas and Manatee counties, while Sarasota County had background to very low concentrations both inshore and offshore. Charlotte County recorded background and very low concentrations, and background concentrations were found offshore of Collier County.
Elsewhere, the organism was found at background concentrations offshore of Bay County and in Gulf County in Northwest Florida. No Karenia brevis was observed along the Florida East Coast during the reporting period.
FWC said no fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported to its Fish Kill Hotline or partner agencies over the past week. No suspected red-tide respiratory irritation was reported in Florida, either.
Short-term forecasts from the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides indicate a net northward movement of surface and subsurface waters across most areas from Pinellas County to northern Monroe County. FWC’s next red tide status report is scheduled for Friday, October 16.
