Red Tide Current Status

Current Conditions

Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 75 samples collected from Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in 15 samples from Southwest Florida: seven from and offshore of Lee County, three offshore of Collier County, and five offshore of Monroe County. We continue to use chlorophyll satellite imagery (USF, NOAA NCCOS) to track offshore patches suspected to contain K. brevis. Based on satellite imagery from January 29 and 30, chlorophyll patches were observed to have intensified since last week, covering areas offshore of Charlotte, Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties. An ongoing, offshore research cruise has confirmed the presence of K. brevis in these areas of high chlorophyll signatures.

Additional details are provided below.

• In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to low concentrations in Pinellas County, background to low concentrations in and offshore of Hillsborough County, background to low concentrations in Manatee County, background to low concentrations in and offshore of Sarasota County, background to low concentrations in and offshore of Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Lee and Collier counties, and low to medium concentrations offshore of Monroe County. For additional information, view the Southwest Coast report and map.
• In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected offshore of Okaloosa County and very low concentrations in two samples collected offshore of Hernando County. For additional information, view the Northwest Coast report and map.
• Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed. For additional information, view the East Coast report and map.

Fish Kills

Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported to FWC's Fish Kill Hotline and other partners over the past week for Southwest Florida (Sarasota, Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties).

Respiratory Irritation

Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida (Sarasota, Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties). For forecasts that use FWC and partner data, please visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast.

Forecast

Forecasts provided by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides over the next 3.5 days predict net northern movement of surface waters for Pinellas County to northern Monroe County and net northwestern transport of subsurface waters from Pinellas County to Lee County.

To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for January 31, 2025.

By using Google Earth, you can zoom in to specific locations and click on stations to see detailed information, including sample date and cell concentration. You must have Google Earth installed on your computer to view this map; the software can be downloaded from the Google Earth website.

The next status report will be issued on Wednesday, February 5. Please check our daily sampling map which can be accessed from the top of this page.

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.

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. To receive an e-mail when the current status has been updated, visit our subscription area.

Additional Information

For additional information about red tide and the current red tide bloom, including information on how to report a fish kill or other wildlife effects, consult health authorities about human exposure, or locate other resources, visit our Red Tide-Related Hotlines and Information Sources page.

Archived status maps can be found in our Flickr gallery. Previous regional status reports and maps can be found on our red tide resources page.

Blue-Green Algae Bloom Information

Additional information regarding the current status of algal blooms in South Florida is being consolidated and posted on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s website: https://floridadep.gov/dear/algal-bloom.