Red tide report

Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 123 samples from and offshore of Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in 79 samples from Southwest Florida: 27 in Sarasota County, five in Charlotte County, four in Lee County.

In Southwest Florida over the past week, brevis was observed at very low to high concentrations in Sarasota County, background to high concentrations in Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in Lee County.

Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received in Southwest Florida over the past week from Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier and Monroe counties. Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported in Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties. 

Lee County government has been cleaning dead fish from Boca Grande beaches in rather copious amounts, which does help alleviate some of the odor. 

Call (866) 300-9399 at any time from anywhere in Florida to hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state. Callers outside of Florida can dial (727) 502-4956. Standard calling charges apply.

Reports are updated on Friday afternoon except during holidays, in which case the report will be released on the closest day. Additional information, if available, is provided on Wednesday afternoon.