Red Tide Current Status

Current Conditions

Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 98 samples collected from Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in 20 samples: two from Hillsborough County, two from Manatee County, 10 from Sarasota County, two from Charlotte County, two from and offshore of Lee County, one offshore of Collier County, and one offshore of Monroe County (StatewideTable0115). We continue to use satellite chlorophyll imagery (USF, NOAA NCCOS) to track day-to-day variability. Images from January 13 revealed offshore chlorophyll patches along Charlotte to Monroe counties. A contiguous, low intensity patch was located 3 to 10 miles offshore of Charlotte to Collier counties. Samples from the edge of this offshore patch confirmed the presence of K. brevis at bloom concentrations. A series of smaller, more diffuse patches were observed approximately 20 miles west of Monroe County and 13 miles north of the Florida Keys.

Additional details are provided below.

• In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to low concentrations in Pinellas County, medium concentrations in Hillsborough County, very low to medium concentrations in Manatee County, background to high concentrations in Sarasota County, background to high concentrations in Charlotte County, background to medium concentrations in and offshore of both Lee and Collier counties, and medium concentrations offshore of Monroe County.
• In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
• 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 (Sarasota, Charlotte, 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, Charlotte, 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 for Pinellas County to northern Monroe County predict variable movement of surface and subsurface waters over the next 3.5 days.

To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for January 15, 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 Friday, January 17. 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.