Red Tide Current Status
Daily Sample Map
This map contains the last eight days of sampling and is updated daily at 5 p.m.
Please be sure to click on individual dots for sampling details.
Red Tide Midweek Update for November 6, 2024
Current Conditions
Current Conditions
Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 51 samples collected from Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were not observed (Statewidetable1106). Satellite imagery (NOAA, USF) from Monday (11/4) continues to show a large offshore patch (>165 miles long) of elevated chlorophyll spanning Pasco to Collier counties, and a few isolated patches further north, off of the Big Bend region. Confirmatory offshore sampling was not possible over the past week due to weather. We suspect that red tide continues to be present offshore, however, we are seeing other algal species dominant in nearshore samples (mostly diatoms, occurring with and without red tide present) and it is possible that the chlorophyll signal represents a mixed assemblage, not just red tide. Offshore sampling over the next week will help provide more information.
Additional details are provided below.
- In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to very low concentrations in Pinellas County, very low to low concentrations in Manatee County, background to low concentrations in Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties, and background concentrations in Collier County.
- In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background and very low concentrations in Franklin County.
- Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
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 (along Pinellas, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties and offshore of Collier County).
Respiratory Irritation
Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida (along Pinellas, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties, and offshore of Collier County). 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 by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas County to northern Monroe County predict net northwestern movement of surface waters and southeastern transport of subsurface waters in most areas over the next 3.5 days.
To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for November 6, 2024.
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 Friday, November 8th. Please check our daily sampling map which can be accessed from the top of this 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.
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 article.
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.
Key for Results
Description | K. brevis abundance | Possible effects (K. brevis only) |
---|---|---|
NOT PRESENT- BACKGROUND | background levels of 1,000 cells or less | no effects anticipated |
VERY LOW | > 1,000 - 10,000 cells/L | possible respiratory irritation; shellfish harvesting closures when cell abundance equals or exceeds 5,000 cells/L |
LOW | > 10,000 - 100,000 cells/L | respiratory irritation; shellfish harvesting closures; possible fish kills; probable detection of chlorophyll by satellites at upper range of cell abundance |
MEDIUM | > 100,000 - 1,000,000 cells/L | respiratory irritation; shellfish harvesting closures; probable fish kills; detection of surface chlorophyll by satellites |
HIGH | > 1,000,000 cells/L | as above, plus water discoloration |