Tropical Storm Gordon likely played a role in moving red tide further north, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Although red tide levels have gone down in some areas, particularly in Sarasota County, we’re still seeing strong cell counts in the Tampa Bay area down to Collier County.
Recent samplings of the water detected K. brevis at medium concentrations in Manatee County, background to high concentrations in Sarasota County and very low to high concentrations were found in or offshore of Charlotte County, the agency said.
Fish kills were reported over the past week in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and Lee counties and respiratory irritation was reported over the past week in Manatee, Sarasota and Lee counties.
“Persistent surface currents—prior to, during, and after the passage of Tropical Storm Gordon—likely played a role in transporting cells of K. brevis to the northwest,” the FWC said.
