SCCF: Red tide no longer present off county
On Feb. 25, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported a red tide bloom that has been causing impacts to wildlife and people in Southwest Florida since mid-January was no longer being detected in Lee County, according to recent water samples and satellite imagery.
Water samples taken and analyzed by the SCCF’s Marine Laboratory on Sanibel and Captiva over the previous 10 days did not find any Karenia brevis — the organism that causes red tide.
“Though there could be Karenia away from shore and deeper, it’s likely the bloom crashed,” research scientist Rick Bartleson said.
Concentrations of Karenia brevis were listed as “not present” in all water samples from offshore Lee County between Feb. 14-21, according to the Feb. 21 report by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). High and medium concentrations were still found in Sarasota and Monroe counties, respectively, though samplings from Feb. 24 showed only low concentrations in Manatee County.
The FWC’s Red Tide Status report was as follows:
– Pinellas County: Background to very low concentrations
– Hillsborough County: Very low to low concentrations
– Manatee County: Background to low concentrations
– Sarasota County: Background to high concentrations
– Charlotte County: Background to low concentrations
– Lee County: Not present
– Collier County: Background concentrations
– Monroe County: Background to medium concentrations
Despite the bloom disappearing, the SCCF reported that it continues to document and receive reports of fish kills and other stranded coastal wildlife, including birds and sea turtles.
“This is likely because red tide toxins (brevetoxins) accumulate in the tissues of small fish and invertebrates, which are then ingested by wildlife higher in the food chain,” he said. “Toxins from dead Karenia cells can also contaminate sediments and be absorbed by seagrasses, which can remain toxic to marine life after a red tide has passed.”
Since December, the Caloosahatchee Estuary has been receiving scheduled Lake Okeechobee releases within the optimum flow envelope as part of Lake Okeechobee Recovery Operations. SCCF staff and partners have provided regular updates and recommendations to water managers and decision makers through its Caloosahatchee Conditions Reports.
To reach SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION, please email