Red Tide Current Status

Current Conditions

Over the past week, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed in 29 samples from Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in four samples from Northwest Florida. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track nearshore and offshore conditions. 

Additional details follow. 

• In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations offshore of Hillsborough County, very low concentrations offshore of Manatee County, and background 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 to medium concentrations in Bay County, very low to low concentrations in Gulf County, and background to very low concentrations in Franklin 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

No fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported to FWC's Fish Kill Hotline or other partners over the past week.

Respiratory Irritation

Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was not reported over the past week. For forecasts that use FWC and partner data, please visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Gulf Coast Harmful Algal Bloom Forecast.

Forecast

Short-term (3.5 day) forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides predict variable movement of surface waters from Bay County to Manatee County, with net southwestern to southern transport from Sarasota County to northern Monroe County. Variable subsurface currents are predicted from Bay County to Gulf County, with minimal subsurface transport from Franklin County to Pasco County, and eastern to southeastern subsurface movement along Pinellas County to Northern Monroe County. 

To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for December 19, 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.

Due to the upcoming holiday, the next status report will be issued on Tuesday, December 23rd. 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.