Red Tide Current Status

Current Conditions

Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 27 samples collected from Florida’s Gulf Coast. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were not observed. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track nearshore and offshore conditions. Additional details are provided below.

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

Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received from Southwest Florida over the past week from Sarasota County. For more details, please visit https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/ and https://visitbeaches.org/.

Respiratory Irritation

Over the past week, respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported via the Beach Conditions Reporting System in Southwest Florida in Sarasota County. For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org/ and for forecasts that use FWC and partner data, please visit https://habforecast.gcoos.org/.

Forecast

Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas County to northern Monroe County predict net southwestern movement of surface waters and eastern transport of subsurface waters in most areas over the next 3.5 days.

View a larger map (May 26, 2023).

To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for May 26, 2023.

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, May 31^st. 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.