
The first is biology - the organism must be present in the water and it must out-compete other phytoplankton. The Florida red tide alga, Karenia brevis, needs the following components to form a bloom. brevis blooms from red tides caused by other species of algae, researchers in Florida call it “Florida red tide.” In marine (saltwater) environments along Florida’s west coast and elsewhere in the Gulf of Mexico, the species that causes red tides is Karenia brevis, often abbreviated as K.
FWC-Mote Facebook page, Florida Red Tide and Other Harmful Algal Blooms: /FLHABs/Ī red tide, or harmful algal bloom, is a higher-than-normal concentration of a microscopic alga (plant-like organism). research/redtide/monitoring/offshore-monitoring/ FWC’s red tide offshore monitoring program – a way for volunteers to help. Red tide and human health – information and rack cards from Florida Department of Health: /environmental-health/aquatic-toxins/harmful-algae-blooms/index.html. Red tide background info from Mote and FWC, respectively (including FAQs): /redtide and /research/redtide/. Mote’s Beach Conditions Reporting System provides shoreline observations as often as twice daily: /map. Mote’s CSIC app allows users to report when and where they experience respiratory irritation or see discolored water or dead fish - all potential indications of Florida red tide. Based on statewide results, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides forecasts of potential respiratory irritation: /. FWC’s statewide red tide status reports (on abundance of the Florida red tide algae, Karenia brevis) are typically updated every Friday afternoon: /research/redtide/statewide (with mid-week reports on Wednesdays). A daily sampling map can also be found at the top of the current status page (updated daily at 5 pm). To report fish kills, contact the FWC Fish Kill Hotline at 80 or submit a report online. Where can I get more health and safety information on harmful algae? Is it OK to eat local finfish during a red tide?ĭoes cooking or freezing destroy the Florida red tide toxin? Is it OK to eat recreationally harvested shellfish during a red tide? Is it OK to eat shellfish at a restaurant or purchase shellfish from a seafood market during a red tide? (also known as commercially caught or store bought) What are some hints for visiting beaches during red tides? What should I do to lessen the effects?Ĭan I swim in the ocean when there’s a Florida red tide bloom?
I don’t have a chronic lung disease, but still seem to be affected by the toxins. Red tide seems to affect me even when I’m not right on the beach. Is there a group of people who should avoid the beach during Florida red tide? Will I experience respiratory irritation during a Florida red tide? Is the Florida red tide found in estuaries, bays or freshwater systems?Ĭan we predict where a red tide will occur? How long does a Florida red tide bloom last? How does the Florida red tide, Karenia brevis, kill fish? Has coastal (nutrient) pollution caused the Florida red tide?Ĭan coastal nutrient pollution worsen an existing Florida red tide that has moved to shore?ĭo freshwater outflows from Lake Okeechobee affect Florida red tide blooms that have moved to the Charlotte Harbor area?ĭo blue-green algae (a group of species called cynobacteria) affect Florida red tide (Karenia brevis)?
How can I find out what current red tide conditions are?