The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Over the past week, K. brevis was observed in 133 samples. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in 82 samples: one in Manatee County, 34 in and offshore of Sarasota County, two in Charlotte County, 38 in and offshore of Lee County, and seven in Collier County.
  • In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in Pinellas County, very low to medium concentrations in Manatee County, very low to high concentrations in and offshore of Sarasota County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Lee County, and background to high concentrations in Collier County.
Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties. Reports of respiratory irritation from these counties were also received through the Fish Kill Hotline.
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