Red Tide Report

WGCU | By WGCU News

Published February 11, 2021 at 10:32 AM EST

FWC 11-02-21 — Screenshot of FWC website map of SWFL Red Tide 12/17/21

Get the latest red tide information for Southwest Florida.

Red Tide Update December 17, 2021
Great news. Negligible concentrations of K. Brevis have been observed in Southwest Florida this past week. Florida Fish and Wildlife has received zero reports of fish kills or respiratory irritation in the same time frame.

For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org.

Report Fish Kills: On the FWC How to Report a Fish Kill website or call 1-800-636-0511.

For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: Visit the FWC Red Tide Current Status website.

Red Tide Update November 10, 2021
Water samples taken in and off shore of Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties have detected a range of concentrations of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis. Samples near Charlotte County had very low concentrations. Lee County samples contained background to high concentrations. Collier County samples ranged from very low to medium. Sarasota and Manatee counties are in the clear of the organism, at this time.

For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org.

Report Fish Kills: On the FWC How to Report a Fish Kill website or call 1-800-636-0511.

For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: Visit the FWC Red Tide Current Status website.

Red Tide Update November 3, 2021
Samples of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, have been found in water samples in and off shore of Hillsborough, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties, with concentrations ranging from background to medium concentrations. Low to medium concentrations have been known to cause fish kills and respiratory illness.

Water samples collected offshore from Manatee, Lee, Collier and Monroe counties did not contain K. brevis.

Symptoms from breathing red tide usually include coughing, sneezing and watery eyes. For most people, symptoms are temporary and typically go away when the person leaves the area. Wearing a particle filter mask may lessen the effects, and over-the-counter antihistamines decrease symptoms.
People with chronic respiratory problems, like asthma, should avoid areas with active red tides. People with symptoms that persist should seek medical attention.
Pet owners are advised that red tide poses a risk to animals brought to the beach. Red tide can affect animals if they drink affected water, lick their wet paws or fur, or breath marine aerosols.
Residents sensitive to red tide and living in beach areas affected by blooms are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the AC filter is maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications).
Seafood, including shellfish, in restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and markets is safe to eat. Cooked shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) thoroughly to prevent exposure to Vibrio vulnificus. Shellfish should not be harvested or eaten from areas with active red tide.

For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org.

Report Fish Kills: On the FWC How to Report a Fish Kill website or call 1-800-636-0511.

For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: Visit the FWC Red Tide Current Status website.

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.

Red Tide Update October 27, 2021
In the past week, samples of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, have been found
at background to low concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, background to medium concentrations in Manatee County, background to high concentrations in Sarasota County, background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Lee County, and background concentrations in Collier County. Samples collected from Charlotte County did not contain K. brevis.

Respiratory irritation is possible even in very low concentrationsof K. brevis, with increasing symptoms in higher concentrations. Fish kills, potentially related to red tide, have also been reported in Manatee, Sarasota, and Lee counties over the past week.

Symptoms from breathing red tide usually include coughing, sneezing and watery eyes. For most people, symptoms are temporary and typically go away when the person leaves the area. Wearing a particle filter mask may lessen the effects, and over-the-counter antihistamines decrease symptoms.
People with chronic respiratory problems, like asthma, should avoid areas with active red tides. People with symptoms that persist should seek medical attention.
Pet owners are advised that red tide poses a risk to animals brought to the beach. Red tide can affect animals if they drink affected water, lick their wet paws or fur, or breath marine aerosols.
Residents sensitive to red tide and living in beach areas affected by blooms are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the AC filter is maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications).
Seafood, including shellfish, in restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and markets is safe to eat. Cooked shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) thoroughly to prevent exposure to Vibrio vulnificus. Shellfish should not be harvested or eaten from areas with active red tide.

For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org.

Report Fish Kills: On the FWC How to Report a Fish Kill website or call 1-800-636-0511.

For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: Visit the FWC Red Tide Current Status website.

Red Tide Update October 1, 2021
Medium to high concentrations of Karenia brevis, the organism associated with red tide, are prevalent in Manatee County, in and offshore of Sarasota County, and Charlotte County according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission website. Fish kills and respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported in those same Southwest Florida counties over the past week. Samples taken from Lee and Collier counties did not contain K. brevis.

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County reminds residents and visitors to use caution when on the beach or in waters with high concentrations of red tide. The department encourages everyone to review these tips to stay safe while enjoying Florida’s beaches:

Symptoms from breathing red tide usually include coughing, sneezing and watery eyes. For most people, symptoms are temporary and typically go away when the person leaves the area. Wearing a particle filter mask may lessen the effects, and over-the-counter antihistamines decrease symptoms.
People with chronic respiratory problems, like asthma, should avoid areas with active red tides. People with symptoms that persist should seek medical attention.
Pet owners are advised that red tide poses a risk to animals brought to the beach. Red tide can affect animals if they drink affected water, lick their wet paws or fur, or breath marine aerosols.
Residents sensitive to red tide and living in beach areas affected by blooms are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the AC filter is maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications).
Seafood, including shellfish, in restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and markets is safe to eat. Cooked shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) thoroughly to prevent exposure to Vibrio vulnificus. Shellfish should not be harvested or eaten from areas with active red tide.

For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org.

Report Fish Kills: On the FWC How to Report a Fish Kill website or call 1-800-636-0511.

For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: Visit the FWC Red Tide Current Status website.

Red Tide Update September 15, 2021
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission website reports that red tide is currently not present near Boca Grande Pass and Gasparilla Island State Park, therefore the Cautionary notice from the Florida Department of Health in Lee County for last week's red tide bloom has been rescinded for those areas.

However, samples taken along the coast found low concentrations of Karenia brevis in Sarasota County (in 11 samples), low to high concentrations in Charlotte County (in eight samples), and up to medium concentrations in Lee County (in six samples.) Samples collected from Collier County did not contain K. brevis.

Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were found in Sarasota and Lee counties over the past week, as were reports of respiratory illness.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-800-222-1222.

For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org.

Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties over the past week. Report Fish Kills: On the FWC How to Report a Fish Kill website or call 1-800-636-0511.

For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: Visit the FWC Red Tide Current Status website.

Red Tide Update September 10, 2021
This weekend, avoid swimming in water, sea foam or around dead sea life near Cayo Costa and Gasparilla Island State Park due to a red tide bloom. Medium concentrations of Karenia brevis have also been sampled in Boca Grande Pass.

Mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation similar to cold symptoms may occur in some individuals. A Florida Department of Health press release recommends "that people experiencing these symptoms stay away from beach areas or go into an air-conditioned space. If If symptoms do not subside, please contact your health care provider for evaluation."

The FWC Fish Kill Hotline has been receiving a large number of fish kills associated with red tide in Sarasota and Charlotte counties.

For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org.

For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: Visit the FWC Red Tide Current Status website.

Red Tide Update September 8, 2021
The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, continues to be present along the coast of Southwest Florida. Samples taken over the past week show background to medium concentrations in Sarasota County. Background to high concentrations were found in Charlotte County. Background to very low concentrations were sampled in and offshore of Lee County.

Even very low concentrations may cause irritation in humans. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will close shellfish harvesting at these concentrations.

Reports of fish kills and respiratory irritation suspected to be related to K. brevis were reported from along the coast and off shore from Pinellas County to Lee County.

Respiratory irritation related to red tide was reported from Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties. For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org.

For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: Visit the FWC Red Tide Current Status website.

Red Tide Update September 1, 2021
Very low to medium concentrations of Karenia brevis persist along the coast of Southwest Florida. This past week, low concentrations of the red tide organism were observed offshore of Manatee County and in Sarasota County. Very low to medium concentrations were observed in Charlotte and Lee counties.

Respiratory irritation related to red tide was reported from Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties. For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org.

For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: Visit the FWC Red Tide Current Status website.

Red Tide Update August 27, 2021
Florida Fish and Wildlife continue to monitor a "patchy bloom" of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, throughout Southwest Florida. While low to medium concentrations are observed offshore of Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee counties, higher concentrations have been detected in Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.

Respiratory irritation related to red tide was reported from Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties. For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org/

For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: Visit the FWC Red Tide Current Status website.

Red Tide Update August 25, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is notifying the public of a continued red tide bloom for Boca Grande Pass and Gasparilla Island State Park.

Beachgoers are encouraged to check conditions before they go to the beach as conditions can change daily.

For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: Visit the FWC Red Tide Current Status website.

Red tide questions/health concerns? Call the Florida Poison Control Information Center at 1-800-222-1222

Current Beach Conditions: Visit the MOTE Beach Conditions website.

Report Fish Kills: On the FWC How to Report a Fish Kill website or call 1-800-636-0511

Shellfish Harvesting Areas: Visit the FDAC Shellfish Harvesting Area website.

Red Tide Update August 19, 2021
The Florida Department of Health in Lee County is notifying the public of a red tide bloom near Gasparilla Island State Park.

The Department recommends that you:

Do not swim around dead fish at this location.
If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.
Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish from this location. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.
Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.
Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications).
If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-800-222-1222.
Florida Fish and Wildlife also reports a "patchy bloom" of karenia brevis in Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, as well as in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Increased fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were also reported in the same counties.

If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation. For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org/

Red Tide Update August 13, 2021

FWC reports red tide was found over the last week in Charlotte, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties. Suspected red tide related fish kills were reported in Charlotte, Hernando, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, and suspected red tide related respiratory irritation was reported in Charlotte, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties. If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation. For the most current information, visit: https://visitbeaches.org/.

Red Tide Report August 11, 2021

FWC reports red tide continues to he high in the Tampa Bay area, and was found over the last week in Charlotte, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota Counites. Suspected red tide related fish kills were reported in Charlotte, Hernando, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. Suspected red tide related respiratory irritation was reported in Charlotte, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation. For the most current information, visit: https://visitbeaches.org/.

Red Tide Update August 9, 2021

FWC reports high level of red tide persists in Southwest Florida, especially in the Tampa Bay area. Red tide was found in Charlotte, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. Suspected red tide related fish kills were reported in Charlotte, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. Suspected red tide related respiratory irritation was reported in those four counties as well as in Lee County. If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Red Tide Update August 5, 2021

FWC reports red tide continues to plague Southwest Florida, found in the last week in Charlotte, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties.

Suspected red tide related fish kills and respiratory irritation were reported in Charlotte, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Red Tide Update July 30, 2021

FWC reports red tide was observed over the past week in Collier, Charlotte, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. Suspected red tide-related fish kills were reported in Charlotte, Collier, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Lee, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties. Suspected red tide-related respiratory irritation was reported in Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Red Tide Update, July 29, 2021

Red tide continues to plague the Tampa Bay area. FWC reports over the last week red tide was found in Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties. Suspected red tide-related fish kills were reported throughout Southwest Florida, in Charlotte, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. Suspected red tide-related respiratory irritation was reported in Pasco, Pinellas, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties. If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Red Tide Health Alert, July 28, 2021

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) has issued an alert of a red tide bloom near Boca Grande Beach.

The Department recommends that you:

Do not swim around dead fish at this location.
If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.
Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish from this location. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.
Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.
Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications).
If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-888-232-8635.

Red Tide Update July 22, 2021

Red tide remains high in the Tampa Bay area, from Sarasota all the way north through Pinellas County. FWC reports red tide was observed this week in Charlotte, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. They also report samples collected from offshore Collier County did not contain red tide.

Suspected red tide related fish kills were reported in Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. Suspected red tide related respiratory irritation was reported in Hernando, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

For current information, go to https://visitbeaches.org/.

Red Tide Update July 14, 2021

Red Tide continues to plague Southwest Florida, especially in the Tampa Bay-St. Petersburg areas. Charlotte, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties all had red tide present in the last week.

Suspected red tide related fish kills were reported in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties.

Suspected red tide related respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Manatee, Lee, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Read more about the red tide problem in Tampa Bay, here.

Red Tide Update July 9

Red tide continues to be a problem in Southwest Florida, with FWC reporting it's been found in the last week in Charlotte, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties. Suspected red tide-related fish kills were reported in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties, and suspected red tide-related respiratory irritation was reported Pinellas and Sarasota counties. If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Red Tide Update July 1

FWC reports K. brevis a.k.a. red tide, remains high in the Tampa Bay area, and was in the last week reported in Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. The water samples collected from Charlotte, Collier, and Monroe counties did not contain red tide.

Suspected red tide related fish kills were reported in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties, and suspected red tide related respiratory problems were reported in Pinellas and Sarasota Counties.

For the most current information, visit: https://visitbeaches.org/.

If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Red Tide Alert June 29

On Friday afternoon (June 25), the Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) warned the public of a red tide bloom near Lover’s Key State Park. Red tide can cause some people to have respiratory symptoms including eye, nose, and throat irritation, similar to cold symptoms. Those with breathing problems such as asthma or COPD might experience more severe symptoms. Usually, symptoms go away when a person leaves the area where there is red tide.

DOH-Lee recommends that you:

Do not swim around dead fish at this location.
If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.
Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish from this location. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.
Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.
Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications).
If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

Red tide also remains high in the Tampa Bay area.

Red Tide Update June 24, 2021

FWC reports red tide is still high in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties, and still very much present in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota Counties.

Suspected red tide related fish kills were reported in Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties. For more information on fish kills, visit the FWC website.

Suspected red tide-related respiratory irritation was reported in Pinellas and Sarasota Counties.

For the most current red tide information, visit: https://visitbeaches.org/.

Red Tide Update June 18, 2021

FWC reports red tide has been found in the past week in Collier, Charlotte, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Sarasota, and Pinellas Counties. Suspected red tide-related fish kills were reported in Manatee, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Pinellas Counties. Red tide is especially high around Punta Gorda, Gasparilla Pass, Little Gaparilla, Catfish Creek, Sandfly Key, and the Tampa Bay area. Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Pinellas County. If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Red Tide Update June 16, 2021

FWC reports red tide is high in Pinellas County this week, and has also been found in Collier, Charlotte, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties. Suspected red tide related fish kills were reported in Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties, and suspected red tide-related respiratory irritation was reported in Pinellas County. FWC recommends you visit https://visitbeaches.org/ for the most up-to-date information. If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Red Tide Update June 10, 2021

According to FWC, over the last week red tide was found in Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. Suspected red tide-related fish kills were reported in Collier, Lee, Manatee and Pinellas Counties. Suspected red tide-related respiratory irritation was reported in Pinellas County.

Red tide is especially high right now around Hemp Key and Tampa Bay.

For the most up to date information, go to https://visitbeaches.org/.

Red Tide Update June 7, 2021

On Friday, FWC reported a patchy bloom of the red tide persists in Southwest Florida, found in Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties.

Suspected red tide-related fish kills were reported in Collier, Lee, Manatee, and Pinellas Counties, with suspected red tide-related respiratory irritation reported in Collier and Pinellas counties.

Red tide is especially high at South Marco Beach and in South Tampa Bay.

If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Red Tide Update, June 3, 2021

FWC reports red tide was found over the last week in Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties. Red tide is especially high right now at Naples Pier and Charlotte Harbor.

If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Red Tide Update, May 26, 2021

FWC reports Karenia brevis continues in Southwest Florida, where it was found in Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. FWC also reports in Southwest Florida over the past week, suspected red tide-related fish kills were reported in Collier, Lee, and Manatee Counties, and suspected red tide related respiratory irritation was reported in Lee County. Red tide is especially high right now at Lover's Key State Park.

If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Red Tide Alert, May 20, 2021

The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County (DOH-Manatee) is notifying the public of a red tide bloom near Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key.

If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide, at 1-888-232-8635.

Red Tide Update May 19, 2021

Karenia brevis persists in Southwest Florida. FWC says red tide was found in Collier, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties. Suspected red tide-related fish kills were reported in Collier, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties, and respiratory irritation was reported in Charlotte, Collier, and Pinellas Counties.

Red tide is especially high at Lover's Key State Park, Bonita Beach, Vanderbilt Beach, and Seagate.

If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

For current information, please visit: https://visitbeaches.org/.

Red Tide Update May 14, 2021

In the last week, FWC reports red tide was found in Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, and Sarasota counties.

Suspected red tide related fish kills were reported in Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties, and respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Collier and Lee Counties.

Red tide is especially high right now at Barefoot Beach State Preserve, Bonita Beach Park, and Lovers Key State Park.

If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the risk of respiratory irritation.

For current information, please visit: https://visitbeaches.org/.

Red Tide Update May 13, 2021

Karenia brevis, also known as red tide, continues in Southwest Florida, where it was detected in 56 samples over the past week in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties.

Suspected red tide related fish kills were reported in Charlotte, Collier, and Lee counties. Red tide related respiratory irritation was reported in Collier, Lee, and Manatee Counties.

Red tide is especially high right now at Barefoot Beach State Preserve and Bonita Beach Park.

If you are sensitive to red tide, you may want to wear a mask to reduce the red tide related risk of respiratory irritation.

For current information, please visit: https://visitbeaches.org/.

Red Tide Alert for May 7, 2021

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) is warning of red tide blooms near Bonita Springs Beach Park, Lynn Hall Beach Park, and Lover’s Key State Park.

DOH-Lee is advising that:

Some people may have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose, and throat irritation similar to cold symptoms. Some individuals with breathing problems such as asthma might experience more severe symptoms. Usually symptoms go away when a person leaves the area or goes indoors. Health officials recommend that people experiencing these symptoms stay away from beach areas or go into an air-conditioned space. If symptoms do not subside, please contact your health care provider for evaluation.

The Department has also issued the following recommendations to deal with the red tide:

· Do not swim around dead fish at this location.

· If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.

· Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish from this location. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.

· Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.

· Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications).

· If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-800-222-1222.

Red Tide Update for May 6, 2021

Red tide continues to plague Southwest Florida, found in samples from Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Sarasota Counties.

FWC also reports:

... patches of the marine cyanobacterium, Trichodesmium, have recently been reported in offshore, coastal, and nearshore waters. This alga blooms each year, has not been shown to be toxic in Florida’s waters, and often resembles sawdust but can change color as it decomposes. For more information, please see posts on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/FLHABs) and information about Trichodesmium on our website (https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/general/trichodesmium/).

Suspected red tide-related fish kills and respiratory irritation were reported in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota counties.

For current information, please visit: https://visitbeaches.org/.

Red Tide Update for April 30 2021

FWC reports Karenia brevis, aka red tide, persists in Southwest Florida, in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Manatee County, and Sarasota Counties.

Fish kills in Charlotte and Sarasota suspected to be related to red tide were also reported, as was suspected red tide-related respiratory irritation in Charlotte, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties.

This information, including maps and reports with additional details, is also available on the FWRI Red Tide website.

Red tide Update for April 29, 2021

FWC reports red tide continues in Southwest Florida, appearing in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties.

More red tide-related fish kills and respiratory irritation were also reported in Charlotte and Sarasota, with Manatee county also experiencing respiratory irritation.

If you suspect you have red tide-related respiratory irritation, Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of the illness, at 1-800-222-1222.

Red Tide Update For April 23, 2021

FWC reports K. brevis, or red tide, was observed in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties, and that multiple, suspected red tide-related fish kills were reported over the past week in both Charlotte and Sarasota Counties. Red tide-related respiratory irritation was also reported in both Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Red Tide Update for April 22, 2021

FWC Reports that in Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed in Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee and Sarasota Counties.
Suspected red tide-related fish kills were reported in Charlotte and Sarasota counties, and respiratory irritation was reported in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

FWC also says: FWC-FWRI is working closely with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and other partners on the Piney Point discharge response. Status updates are posted on the Protecting Florida Together website: https://protectingfloridatogether.gov/PineyPointUpdate

Red Tide Update for April 20, 2021

A large fish kill is being reported across Charlotte county. You'll note that while red tide numbers in Charlotte have fallen, this fish kill follows a high red tide event on 04-14-21.

If you see a fish kill, be sure to report it to FWC by calling their fish kill hotline at 800-636-0511 or on their website.

Screenshot of FWC website fish kill reports 04-20-21

If you have pictures of a fish kill, you can email them to WGCU's environmental reporter at Vvandepanne @ wgcu.org.

Red Tide Update for April 14, 2021

FWC reports that over the past week, K. brevis was observed in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, and Sarasota Counties.

A suspected red tide-related fish kill as well as respiratory irritation were reported in Sarasota County.

For current information, please visit: https://visitbeaches.org/.

Red Tide Update for April 9, 2021

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has rescinded its health alert for a red tide bloom near Bonita Springs Beach Park.

However, on Wednesday April 7, FWC reported K. brevis was present over the past week in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, and Sarasota Counties. It was not observed in Manatee County.

A suspected red tide-related fish kill was reported over the past week in Charlotte County, and respiratory irritation was reported in both Lee and Sarasota counties.

Please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research website for additional information on the locations where red tide has been found: myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/.

Red Tide Health Alert April 4, 2021

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) has notified the public of a red tide bloom near Bonita Springs Beach Park. Red Tide is also present in the Gulf.

Officials warn, "Some people may have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation similar to cold symptoms. Some individuals with breathing problems such as asthma might experience more severe symptoms. Usually symptoms go away when a person leaves the area or goes indoors. Health officials recommend that people experiencing these symptoms stay away from beach areas or go into an air-conditioned space. If symptoms do not subside, please contact your health care provider for evaluation."

The Department recommends that you:

Do not swim around dead fish at this location.
If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.
Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish from this location. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.
Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.
Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications).
If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-800-222-1222.

Red Tide Update for April 1, 2021

According to FWS:

The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida. K. brevis was detected in 48 samples collected over the past week.

In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed in Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Sarasota Counties. A suspected red tide-related fish kill was reported in Collier County. And red tide-related respiratory problems persist in Sarasota and Lee Counties.

For current conditions, please visit: https://visitbeaches.org.

Red Tide Report for March 24, 2021

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports fish kills were reported in Southwest Florida over the past week, this time in Lee County.

Red tide related respiratory irritation was also reported in both Collier and Lee Counties.

Red tide was also found in samples from Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties.

Visit http://myfwc.com/fishkill and https://visitbeaches.org/ for more information.

Red Tide Health Alert for March 19, 2021

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) has issued multiple health alerts for Southwest Florida.

With red tide present in the Gulf, there are red tide blooms near Bonita Springs Beach Park, Lighthouse Beach Park, Lover’s Key State Park, Lynn Hall Beach Park, and Tarpon Bay Road Beach Access, the DOH is recommending that people experiencing red tide-related respiratory symptoms "stay away from beach areas or go into an air-conditioned space. If symptoms do not subside, please contact your health care provider for evaluation."

The Department recommends that you:

Do not swim around dead fish at this location.

If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.

Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish from this location. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.

Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.

Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications).

If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-800-222-1222.

Red Tide Update for March 17, 2021

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, K. brevis (red tide) was observed over the last week in Charlotte, Collier, Lee and Sarasota Counties.

No fish kills or respiratory- related problems were reported.

Red Tide Alert for March 12, 2021

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) is notifying the public of a red tide bloom near Cayo Costa State Park.
The Department recommends that you:

Do not swim around dead fish at this location.

If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.

Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish from this location. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.
Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.
Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications).
If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

DOH-Lee has also rescinded alerts for red tide near Bonita Springs Beach Park, Little Hickory Island Beach Access, Lover’s Key State Park, Fort Myers Beach (Beach Access 13), Lynn Hall Beach Park, Lighthouse Beach Park, and Tarpon Bay Road Beach Access, as FWC reports the levels of the red tide are no longer a concern at these locations, at this time.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-800-222-1222.

Please visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research website for additional information on the locations where red tide has been found: myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/.

Red Tide Update for March 10, 2021

According to FWC:

In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at very low concentrations in Sarasota County (in one sample), very low to medium concentrations in Charlotte County (in nine samples), background to medium concentrations in Lee County (in 18 samples), and background to low concentrations in Collier County (in six samples). Samples from Pinellas, Manatee, and Monroe counties did not contain red tide.

Fish kill reports were made in Lee and Charlotte Counties, and respiratory ailments were reported in Collier, Lee, and Sarasota Counties.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-800-222-1222.

Red Tide Health Alert for March 5, 2021

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) is alerting the public to red tide-related health alert for Fort Myers Beach (Beach Access 13):

Some people may have mild and short-lived respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation similar to cold symptoms. Some individuals with breathing problems such as asthma might experience more severe symptoms. Usually symptoms go away when a person leaves the area or goes indoors. Health officials recommend that people experiencing these symptoms stay away from beach areas or go into an air-conditioned space. If symptoms do not subside, please contact your health care provider for evaluation.

Red Tide Update for March 5, 2021

According to FWC:

Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported over the past week in Charlotte County. For more details, please visit: https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/.

FWC also notes that red tide-related respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Charlotte, Collier, Lee, and Sarasota counties.

According to FWC:

The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida. Over the past week, K. brevis was detected in 53 samples at background to medium concentrations.

To learn more about red tide in Florida, click here.

Red Tide Update for March 3, 2021

FWC reports a fish kill in Charlotte County, respiratory irritation in Lee and Collier Counties, and that red tide was found in 48 samples in the past week:

In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at very low to low concentrations in Sarasota County (in eight samples), very low to low concentrations in Charlotte County (in five samples), background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Lee County (in 25 samples), background to low concentrations in and offshore of Collier County (in nine samples), and background concentrations offshore of Monroe County (in one sample). Samples from Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee counties did not contain red tide.

For information on fish kills visit http://myfwc.com/fishkill.

For current conditions,visit https://visitbeaches.org.

Red Tide Alert for March 2, 2021

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) is alerting the public to red tide blooms near Tarpon Bay Road Beach Access.

The DOH-Lee says:

The Department recommends that you:

Do not swim around dead fish at this location.

If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.

Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish from this location. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.
Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.
Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications).
If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-800-222-1222.

Red Tide Alert for February 26, 2021

Updated March 1: An alert for South Seas Plantation Beach was issued as well.

There is a Health Alert for Bonita Springs Beach Park, from the Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) due to a red tide bloom.

The DOH-Lee says:

The Department recommends that you:

Do not swim around dead fish at this location.

If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.

Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish from this location. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.
Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.
Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications).
If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-800-222-1222.

Red Tide Update for February 24, 2021

Fish kills and red tide-related respiratory irritation were reported in the last week in Lee County. Fish kills were also reported in Collier County.

According to FWC:

In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in Sarasota County (in one sample), very low concentrations in Charlotte County (in one sample), background to medium concentrations in Lee County (in 16 samples), and background to very low concentrations in Collier County (in three samples). Samples from Pinellas and Manatee counties did not contain red tide.

To report a Fish Kill call the Fish Kill Hotline: 800-636-0511

Red Tide Update February 19, 2021, 1pm

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) is notifying the public of a red tide bloom near Lynn Hall Park.

Some people may experience respiratory problems as a result.

The Department recommends that you:

Do not swim around dead fish at this location.

If you have chronic respiratory problems, be careful and consider staying away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.

Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish and distressed or dead fish from this location. If fish are healthy, rinse fillets with tap or bottled water and throw out the guts.
Keep pets and livestock away from water, sea foam and dead sea life.
Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer's specifications).
If outdoors, residents may choose to wear paper filter masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 Hotline for reporting of illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide at 1-800-222-1222.

Red Tide Mid-Week Update for February 17, 2021

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, red tide, a.k.a. K. brevis, "was observed at very low concentrations in Sarasota County (in one sample), background to very low concentrations in Charlotte County (in four samples), background to medium concentrations in Lee County (in 17 samples), and very low to medium concentrations in and offshore of Collier County (in 11 samples)."

Fish kills related to the red tide were reported in both Lee and Collier counties. Respiratory conditions related to red tide were also reported in Lee county.

Despite declining amounts of the red tide, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reports an increase in birds impacted by the toxic algae, with 60 royal terns being admitted to the CROW clinic for K. brevis-related health problems since February 1st. Thirty-eight have died.

Red Tide Mid-Week Update for February 11, 2021

According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, "Respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida in Lee and Collier counties."

The organism responsible for toxic red tide blooms, Karenia brevis, is currently in Southwest Florida, earlier than usual. The FWC reports it found "medium" concentrations of Karenia brevis in 18 water samples taken both in and offshore of Lee County, and in "background to low" concentrations in 11 water samples taken in and offshore of Collier County.

FWC has not reported any recent fish kills related to the red tide.

To learn more and see the latest official information, visit https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term=campaign