State wildlife officials announced that the harmful algal organism Karenia brevis was found in 25 water samples taken along Florida’s Atlantic coast over the last seven days. One of those samples, collected in Nassau County, reached bloom concentrations—defined as more than 100,000 cells per liter.
Monitoring results by county
The monitoring effort showed a range of concentrations across the region. Nassau County recorded a single bloom‑level sample, while Duval County exhibited background‑to‑low levels and St. Johns County showed background‑to‑very‑low levels. Satellite imagery supplied by the University of South Florida (USF) and the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science highlighted elevated chlorophyll levels in Nassau and Duval counties on August 19, confirming the presence of the organism.
Gulf Coast findings
On Florida’s Gulf Coast, researchers detected only background concentrations of Karenia brevis in two offshore samples taken near Pinellas County. No traces of the algae were found in Northwest Florida during the same monitoring period.
Public health impact
Despite the detections along the East Coast, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported no fish kills linked to red tide in the past seven days. State agencies also received no reports of respiratory irritation, a common symptom caused by airborne toxins released by the algae.
Forecasts and next steps
Short‑term forecasts from the USF‑FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides project that surface and subsurface waters could move from Pinellas County southward to northern Monroe County over the next three and a half days. Officials will continue daily sampling and will issue advisories if conditions worsen.
Residents in affected counties are encouraged to stay informed through local weather and health alerts, especially those with pre‑existing respiratory conditions. Boaters and anglers should monitor local advisories before heading out on the water.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
