Red Tide Blooms developing in the Gulf of Mexico  – FOX4

Francesco Abbruzzino, The Uncensored Report, LLC

 

The FWC Report from Friday is below the video report clip

 

 

FWC Current Conditions
The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected at background to very low concentrations in 5 samples from Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells per liter) were not observed over the past week. The most recent satellite imagery indicated at least two distinct patches of elevated chlorophyll offshore of southwest Florida, one extending northward from northern Pinellas County, and a second patch extending southward from southern Pinellas County to Charlotte County (see link for Southwest Coast map below). Patches are shifting daily as a result of winds and ocean currents, and we are working closely with partners at USF and NOAA NCCOS to monitor these critical datastreams. While it is suspected that these patches could contain red tide, without samples, we cannot confirm whether they are dominated by red tide or other algae. It should be noted that red tide was observed offshore and onshore prior to the passages of both Helene and Milton. Sampling is ongoing, with FWC conducting sampling offshore of Pinellas County today, and collaborative offshore sampling trips are planned for next week. Additional details are provided below.

  • In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in Pinellas County and background to very low concentrations in Manatee 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.

No reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received from FWC’s Fish Kill Hotline or other partners over the past week.

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 of Mexico Harmful Algal Blooms 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 net southeastern transport of subsurface waters in most areas over the next 3.5 days.