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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 20, 2024

Current Conditions

Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 125 samples collected from Northwest and Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in 24 samples: one offshore of Pasco County, four offshore of Pinellas County, one from Hillsborough County, five from and offshore of Manatee County, 10 from Sarasota County, two from and offshore of Charlotte County, and one from Lee County (StatewideTable1120). Light microscopy and/or automated shipboard analysis of samples collected between 11/9 to 11/16 confirmed the presence of K. brevis from and/or offshore of Pasco to Monroe counties. Chlorophyll satellite imagery (USF, NOAA) continues to be dynamic, with imagery from 11/19 showing patches of elevated chlorophyll along and/or offshore of Pinellas, Charlotte, and Lee counties.


Additional details are provided below.

  • In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Pinellas County, low to medium concentrations in and offshore of Hillsborough County, background to medium concentrations in and offshore of Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and Lee counties, and background to very low concentrations offshore of Collier County.
  • In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at medium concentrations in one sample collected offshore of Pasco 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 (offshore of Pinellas County and along Manatee and Sarasota counties).  

Respiratory Irritation

Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida (Sarasota 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 predict northward transport followed by a reversal to predominantly southward transport for surface and subsurface waters over the next 3.5 days, from Pinellas County to northern Monroe County.

Statewide Red Tide Status Map (November 20, 2024)

Two maps, one of Florida showing locations of water samples collected from November 12 through 20, 2024 as detailed in the Statewide Red Tide Status Report for November 20. Other map shows samples from SW Florida overlaid on map showing chlorophyll concentrations from satellite imagery. Chlorophyll imagery provided by the Integrated Red Tide Information System.

To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for November 20, 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 22nd. 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