Low levels of red tide still lurking off shore
Southwest Florida may have gotten a reprieve from red tide, but recent data shows Karenia brevis is still present in Lee County in low to medium concentrations.
A sample taken in Lovers Key State Park on Nov. 7 showed a low abundance of K. brevis cells per liter (less than 10,000), according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
To the north, a sample taken at Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel showed medium concentrations (greater than 100,000 cells -1 million per liter) and high concentrations (more than 1,000,000 K. Brevis cells per liter) in Boca Grande Pass on Nov. 6.
The coasts of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties have shown high concentrations.
Lee County has shown up to a 5 percent change in K. brevis cells from Nov. 3 to Nov. 9.
Levels on Fort Myers Beach remained background to not present.
Respiratory irritation and the possibility of fish kills become an issue with low concentrations of K. brevis.
Water discoloration begins at high concentrations.
In a NOAA report from Nov. 9, low to moderate respiratory irritation was forecast for Lee County.
Low irritation could affect people who are sensitive to red tide or have chronic respiratory conditions.
Moderate irritation could affect the general public as well.
NOAA also showed reports of dead fish in Pinellas, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties.
To date, Lee County has removed 2,200 tons of dead marine life, according to a report from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
No fish kills attributed to red tide have been reported in Lee County since Oct. 2, according to the FWC. But an Oct. 30 report from the SCCF said the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife treated four double-crested cormorants, one mottled duck, and one laughing gull for red tide symptoms.
FWC updates its readings every Wednesday and Friday.
NOAA uses satellite imagery and field data to monitor red tide levels in the Gulf coast daily, issuing forecasts twice per week.
Low levels of red tide still lurking off shore
Southwest Florida may have gotten a reprieve from red tide, but recent data shows Karenia brevis is still present in Lee County in low to medium concentrations.
A sample taken in Lovers Key State Park on Nov. 7 showed a low abundance of K. brevis cells per liter (less than 10,000), according to Florida Fish and Wildlife.
To the north, a sample taken at Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel showed medium concentrations (greater than 100,000 cells-1 million per liter) and high concentrations (more than 1,000,000 K. Brevis cells per liter) in Boca Grande Pass on Nov. 6.
The coasts of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties have shown high concentrations.
Lee County has shown up to a 5 percent change in k. brevis cells from Nov. 3 to Nov. 9.
Levels on Fort Myers Beach remained background to not present.
Respiratory irritation and the possibility of fish kills become an issue with low concentrations of K. brevis.
Water discoloration begins at high concentrations.
In a NOAA report from Nov. 9, low to moderate respiratory irritation was forecast for Lee County.
Low irritation could affect people who are sensitive to red tide or have chronic respiratory conditions.
Moderate irritation could affect the general public as well.
NOAA also showed reports of dead fish in Pinellas, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties.
To date, Lee County has re-moved 2,200 tons of dead marine life, according to a report from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
No fish kills attributed to red tide have been reported in Lee County since Oct. 2, according to the FFWCC, but an Oct. 30 report from the SCCF said Sanibel’s wildlife hospital, CROW, treated four double crested cormorants, one mottled duck, and one laughing gull for red tide symptoms.
Florida Fish and Wildlife updates its readings every Wednesday and Friday.
NOAA uses satellite imagery and field data to monitor red tide levels in the Gulf coast daily, issuing forecasts twice per week.