Red Tide Status Update for February 14, 2025

VIA FWC

Current Conditions

Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 50 samples collected from Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in 14 samples: one from Sarasota County, two from Charlotte County, 10 from Lee County, and one from Collier County. We continue to use chlorophyll satellite imagery (USF, NOAA NCCOS) to track offshore patches suspected to contain K. brevis. Based on satellite imagery from February 13, chlorophyll patches persist along and offshore of Charlotte, Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties. In comparison with prior weeks, chlorophyll patches have moved further northward and decreased somewhat in intensity.

Additional details are provided below.

• In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background to very low concentrations in Pinellas County, very low concentrations in Hillsborough County, background to low concentrations in Manatee County, background to medium concentrations in Sarasota County, background to medium concentrations in Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in Lee County, very low to medium concentrations in Collier County, and very low 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 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

Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported to FWC’s Fish Kill Hotline and other partners over the past week for Southwest Florida (Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties).

Respiratory Irritation

Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported over the past week in Southwest Florida (Sarasota, Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties). For forecasts that use FWC and partner data, please visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast.

Forecast

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