Red tide reported in Okaloosa [MAP]

In Northwest Florida, very low to low cell concentrations (<100,000 cells per liter) were reported from Okaloosa to Bay counties.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports in its Sept. 12 red tide update that a bloom of the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, has been observed in Northwest Florida for the first time this past week.

Karenia brevis persists in Southwest Florida and extends from northern Pinellas to Lee counties along about 125 miles of coastline. Aerial surveys conducted on Sept. 6 and Sept. 11, as well as recent water sampling, indicate that the bloom of K. brevis still extends offshore (10 miles or more) in some areas.

In Northwest Florida, very low to low cell concentrations (<100,000 cells per liter) were reported from Okaloosa to Bay counties.

Reports of fish kills in our area were received in and offshore of Panama City Beach (Bay County).

Forecasts for Northwest Florida predict net eastern transport of surface and subsurface waters.

Observations of >1,000,000 K. brevis cells per liter (“high” concentrations) occurred in samples collected in or offshore of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties and relative to last week, multiple locations in Pinellas, Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties showed increased K. brevis concentrations. Decreased cell concentrations were observed in Collier County.

In Southwest Florida, reports of fish kills were received for multiple locations in and/or offshore of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and Lee counties.

Respiratory irritation was reported in Southwest Florida (in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and Lee counties).

Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas to northern Monroe counties predict net southern movement of surface waters for most areas and net southeastern transport of subsurface waters over the next three days.

The next complete red tide status report will be posted on Friday, September 14.