Red Tide Status Update: 12/23/25

Over the past week, red tide was observed in 30 samples from Northwest Florida and one sample from Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in three samples from Northwest Florida (Bay County).

We continue to monitor satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track nearshore and offshore conditions. Imagery from December 22^nd showed slightly elevated chlorophyll in estuarine waters of Franklin County.

Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported to FWC's Fish Kill Hotline or other partners over the past week in Northwest Florida (Bay and Gulf counties).

Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was not reported over the past week in Florida. For forecasts that use FWC and partner data, please visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Gulf Coast Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast.

Short-term (3.5 day) forecasts provided by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Bay County to Franklin County predict net western to northwestern movement of surface waters in most areas and variable transport of subsurface waters. From Pinellas County to northern Monroe County, net western to southwestern movement of surface waters and eastern to southeastern transport of subsurface waters are predicted in most areas.

Due to the upcoming holidays, the next status report will be issued on Wednesday, December 31^st. Please check our daily sampling map, which can be accessed via the online status report on our Red Tide Current Status page. For more information on algal blooms and water quality, please visit Protecting Florida Together.

This information, including maps and reports with additional details, is also available on the FWRI Red Tide website. The website also provides links to additional information related to the topic of Florida red tide including satellite imagery, experimental red tide forecasts, shellfish harvesting areas, the FWC Fish Kill Hotline, the Florida Poison Information Center (to report human health effects related to exposure to red tide), and other wildlife related hotlines.

To learn more about various organisms that have been known to cause algal blooms in Florida waters, see the FWRI Red Tide Flickr page. Archived status maps can also be found on Flickr.       

Please follow our facebook page for status updates and other interesting facts about red tide and other harmful algal blooms in Florida.