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Florida red tide organisms detected at low levels in Gulf Coast samples

No related fish kills or respiratory irritation were reported during the past week

What to know about red tide after Florida’s back-to-back hurricanes

ORLANDO, Fla. — The organism responsible for Florida red tide was detected at background to very low concentrations in 11 samples collected along and offshore of the Gulf Coast, state wildlife officials said Friday.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported Karenia brevis in samples from Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and Collier counties.

In Northwest Florida, the organism was found at background concentrations offshore of Bay County and in Gulf County.

No Karenia brevis was detected in samples collected along Florida’s East Coast.

FWC received no reports of fish kills or respiratory irritation suspected of being connected to red tide during the past week.

Short-term forecasts from the University of South Florida and FWC predict northern movement of surface and subsurface waters across most areas from Pinellas County to northern Monroe County.

Residents can review the latest sampling information through FWC’s red tide current status page. The agency updates its sampling map daily.

FWC expects to issue its next statewide status report Friday, Oct. 16.

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Brody Wooddell

Brody Wooddell, WFTV.com

Brody Wooddell is a digital journalist and media leader with more than a decade of experience in content strategy, audience growth, and digital storytelling across television and online news platforms.

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