Red tide lurks in the SWFL

The red tide causative agent, Karenia brevis, has been identified in 102 samples collected in southwest Florida and coastal waters over the past week.

Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in nine samples: five in Manati County and four in Lee County.

A closer look at Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis background to low concentrations were observed in Charlotte County, background to moderate concentrations in and outside Lee County, and background concentrations in Collier County.

See the interactive map for the latest red tide news.

Calusa Waterkeeper’s January Bacteria Monitoring results came in earlier this week and are quite high for recent samples.

They added new patterns from new areas such as the Estero River, Spring Creek, Hendry Creek, Mullock Creek, Bunch Beach and Pine Island.

See the interactive map below for results closest to you.