Red Tide Report 10.6.16
A bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida from Pinellas to Collier counties.
Karenia brevis was observed in background to high concentrations in six samples collected from Pinellas County; background to high concentrations in eleven samples collected from Manatee County; background to high concentrations in thirty-two samples collected from Sarasota County; background to low concentrations in five samples collected from Charlotte County; background to medium concentrations in eight samples collected from Lee County; and background to high concentrations in ten samples collected from Collier County.
Additional samples collected throughout Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis.
Fish kills affecting multiple species have been reported along Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties; respiratory irritation has been reported in these same areas. Forecasts for Southwest Florida by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides show net offshore movement of surface waters, and southern, onshore movement of subsurface waters between southern Pinellas and Collier counties over the next 3 days.