TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Karenia brevis, the red tide organism was detected in 11 samples from the Tampa Bay area in the past week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.
Very low concentrations of K. brevis were found in Manatee County, Sarasota County, Pinellas County, and Charlotte County.
In Sarasota County, reports of fish kills related to red tide were received from FWC’s hotline , according to FWC.
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Possible respiratory irritation was reported from Siesta Key Beach on Sept. 18 in Sarasota County.
The USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tide for Pinellas County to northern Monroe County shows some movement of surface waters and subsurface waters in the next three to five days, according to FWC.
Low concentration of K. brevis could bring respiratory irritation, possible fish kills, shellfish harvesting closures, and detection of chlorophyll.
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