Red Tide Worsens as Bloom Continues North

BRADENTON – The large red tide bloom that took root off the coast of Sarasota in the weeks after Hurricane Ian worsened over the past week, with bloom concentrations present in 35 samples: 17 in and offshore of Pinellas County, one in Hillsborough County, four in and offshore of Manatee County, 10 in Sarasota County, two in Charlotte County, and one offshore of Monroe County.

In Southwest Florida over the past week, Karenia brevis was observed at background to high concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, very low to high concentrations in and offshore of Hillsborough County, background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Manatee County, background to high concentrations in Sarasota County, low concentrations in Charlotte County, background to low concentrations in Lee County, and background concentrations in Collier County.

Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received in Southwest Florida from Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee and Collier counties over the past week. For more details, click here.

Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported via the Beach Conditions Reporting System over the past week in Southwest Florida in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee and Collier counties. Reports of respiratory irritation from these counties were also received through the Fish Kill Hotline.

For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org/, and for forecasts that use FWC and partner data, please visit https://habforecast.gcoos.org/.