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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 Status Update for March 22, 2024

Current Conditions

The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed at background concentrations in two samples collected from Southwest Florida over the past week. 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 two samples collected from and offshore of Sarasota County. For additional information, view the Southwest Coast report and map.
  • In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed. 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 reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received over the past week. For more details, please visit  https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/ and https://visitbeaches.org/.

Respiratory Irritation

Respiratory irritation 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://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-forecasts/gulf-of-mexico/.

Forecast

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

 

Statewide Red Tide Status Map (March 22, 2024)

View a larger map (March 22, 2024).

To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for March 22, 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, March 29th. 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