Red Tide Status Update: October 30, 2026

Over the past week, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed in 24 samples from Northwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in six samples from Bay and Gulf counties. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track nearshore and offshore conditions. Imagery from October 29 revealed elevated chlorophyll levels in and offshore of Gulf County (see Statewide Combo map below).

Additional details follow.

• In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed. 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 Escambia County, background concentrations in Okaloosa County, background to medium concentrations in Bay County, very low to medium concentrations in Gulf County, and background concentrations in Franklin County. For additional information, view the Northwest Coast report and map.
• Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed. For additional information, view the East Coast report and map.

Fish Kills

Several observations of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported in Northwest Florida (Gulf County) to FWC's Fish Kill Hotline or other partners over the past week.

Respiratory Irritation

Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported in Northwest Florida (Gulf County) over the past week. For forecasts that use FWC and partner data, please visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Gulf Coast Harmful Algal Bloom Forecast.

Forecast

Short-term (3.5 day) forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides predict variable movement of surface and subsurface waters from Pinellas to northern Monroe counties.