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 Mid-Week Update for May 31, 2023
Current Conditions
Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 13 samples collected from Southwest Florida. 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 Pinellas County, background concentrations in Sarasota County, background to low concentrations in Charlotte County, and background to very low concentrations in Lee 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
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
Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was not reported in Florida over the past week. 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 northwestern movement of surface waters in most areas and variable transport of subsurface waters over the next 3.5 days.
Southwest Coast Red Tide Status Map (May 31, 2023)
View a larger map (May 31, 2023).
The next status report will be issued on Friday, June 2nd. 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 |