Red Tide-Related Hotlines and Information Sources

The FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is a national leader in red tide research and response. FWRI processes dozens of water samples every week and reports our findings to the public. FWC remains in constant contact with local governments, health officials, partner agencies and the public regarding this event.

Current Status
View the statewide Red Tide Current Status.

Latest Red Tide Status Report Available by Phone
Call (866) 300-9399 at any time from anywhere to hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state. Standard calling charges apply.

FWRI Fish Kill Hotline

The FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) maintains this hotline through a federally funded project to survey fish-related diseases and mortalities.

• Call 800-636-0511 (toll-free) to report fish kills, diseased fish, or fish with other abnormalities. Leave a detailed report and contact information on the recorded message. A biologist will contact the caller, usually the following workday, if more information is needed.

• Report a fish kill online.

Please do not call the FWRI Fish Kill Hotline to request dead fish cleanup; local municipalities are responsible for dead fish cleanup, usually only on public beaches.

FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-3922 (toll-free)
If you find a dead, sick, or injured manatee or sea turtle, or you would like to report a wildlife law violation, please call FWC's 24-hour Wildlife Alert Number.

Florida’s Poison Control Centers: 800-222-1222 (toll-free)

 If you believe you’re experiencing health effects from contact with red tide, please call 800-222-1222 for immediate assistance from a health care professional. Additional information on the health effects of Florida's red tide can be found on the Florida Department of Health website.

If you would like to speak with someone in your local health department, please use the link below for contact information.

County Health Departments

FWC's Center for Red Tide Research forms an interdisciplinary partner network of government agencies, universities, private sector, and community scientists to develop, enhance, and sustain coordinated efforts to help mitigate the adverse impacts of harmful algal blooms (HABs).  Collaborative efforts include improving our ability to detect, track and respond to red tide events caused by Karenia brevis. 

At the University of South Florida (USF) College of Marine Science, the Center for Red Tide Tracking and Forecasting collaboration includes the Ocean Circulation Lab (OCC). The OCC uses forecast models to track and predict red tide events in the Southeastern United States and reports current conditions. The HAB tracking tool displays modeled bloom trajectories on the West Coast of Florida, forecasted over the upcoming 3.5 days. 

To complement FWC Red Tide Status Reports and forecasts produced by USF, Mote Marine Laboratory’s Beach Conditions Reporting System provides up-to-date information about reports of respiratory irritation and dead fish, potential impacts of red tide, by local beachgoers.

To learn more about these and other resources such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Gulf Coast Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast, visit the Tools for Tracking Red Tide webpage. 

FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute's Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) group closely monitors the status of K. brevis on Florida's coasts, providing technical support to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the agency that regulates approved shellfish harvesting areas.

To protect public health, FDACS can order closures of shellfish harvest areas (limited in this context to oysters, clams, and mussels). Before harvesting in Florida waters, determine open or closed status by visiting the Department's Division of Aquaculture website or calling a field office.

In 2000, FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute established what is now known as Community Scientists Monitoring for Red Tide (CSMRT), which is a program for citizens to help collect water samples from routine collection points and sites reported for suspected harmful algal blooms (HABs). The timely sampling by community scientists allows researchers to provide an early warning of offshore algal blooms and investigate reported events as they occur. The Program needs individuals to collect samples from all coastal Florida counties. To view more information visit Community Scientists Monitoring for Red Tide (CSMRT) or use the Community Scientist Sign-up Form.

November 25, 2025
Statewide report and map
Google Earth map

November 21, 2025
Southwest Coast report and map
Northwest Coast report and map
East Coast report and map
Google Earth map

November 14, 2025
Southwest Coast report and map
Northwest Coast report and map
East Coast report and map
Google Earth map

November 7, 2025
Southwest Coast report and map
Northwest Coast report and map
East Coast report and map
Google Earth map

Additional archived status maps can be found on Flickr