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Southwestern Florida may have recovered from the red tide, but recent data show that Karenia brevis is still present in Lee County at low to medium concentrations.
A sample taken at Lovers Key State Park on November 7 revealed a low abundance of K. brevis cells per liter (less than 10,000), according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
In the north, a sample taken at Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel showed mean concentrations (greater than 100,000 cells – 1 million per liter) and high concentrations (more than 1,000,000 K. Brevis cells per liter) at Boca Grande Pass on the 6th November.
The coasts of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties showed high concentrations.
Lee County showed a change of up to 5% in K. brevis cells from November 3rd to 9th.
The levels on Fort Myers Beach have remained unchanged.
The respiratory irritation and the possibility of fish mortality become a problem with low concentrations of K. brevis.
Water discoloration begins at high concentrations.
In a Nov. 9 NOAA report, mild to moderate respiratory irritation was predicted for Lee County.
Low irritation can affect people sensitive to the red tide or suffering from chronic respiratory conditions.
Moderate irritation may also affect the general public.
NOAA has also reported cases of dead fish in Pinellas, Sarasota and Charlotte Counties.
To date, Lee County has eliminated 2,200 tonnes of dead marine life, according to a report by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
According to the FWC, no fish deaths due to the red tide have been reported in Lee County since 2 October. However, a report from the SCCF on October 30 indicates that the Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic has treated four double-crested cormorants, a spotted duck and a gull laughing for the symptoms of the red tide.
FWC updates its readings every Wednesday and Friday.
NOAA uses satellite imagery and field data to monitor red tide levels on the Gulf Coast daily and issues forecasts twice a week.
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