Red Tide Current Status

FWC reports on the current status of Karenia brevis blooms using tables, static maps, and interactive Google Earth maps. Archived status maps can be found in our Flickr gallery.

Red Tide Status (July 7, 2017)

The Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed at background concentrations in one sample collected from Franklin County (Northwest Florida) and one sample collected from Brevard County (East Coast).

Additional samples collected throughout Florida over the past week did not contain K. brevis.

Forecasts for Southwest Florida by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides predict minimal northern movement of surface waters, and net movement of subsurface waters, from Pinellas to Lee counties over the next three days.

Red Tide Status Map (July 7, 2017)

View a larger map (PDF 220 KB) (July 7, 2017)

Regional Status Reports and Maps (July, 2017)

Southwest coast report (PDF 84KB) and map (PDF 216KB)
East coast report (PDF 48KB) and map (PDF 228KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 52KB) and map (PDF 240KB)

To see detailed information on this week's samples, view the current Statewide Google Earth map for July 7, 2017.

By using Google Earth, you can zoom in to specific locations and click on stations to see detailed information, including sample date and cell concentration. You must have Google Earth installed on your computer to view this map; the software can be downloaded from the Google Earth website. 

The FWRI Red Tide Status Line is now available to callers throughout the state. FWRI updates the recording each Friday by 5 p.m. Red Tide Status Line: 866-300-9399 (toll-free inside Florida only); 727-552-2448 (outside Florida).

Reports are updated on Friday afternoon except during holidays, in which case the report will be released on the closest day. Additional information, if available, is provided on Wednesday afternoon. To receive an e-mail when the current status has been updated, visit our subscription area.

FWC's Red Tide Action Report

Red tide is a naturally-occurring microscopic alga that has been documented along Florida’s Gulf Coast since the 1840’s and occurs nearly every year. Blooms, or higher-than-normal concentrations, of the Florida red tide alga, Karenia brevis, frequently occur in the Gulf of Mexico. Red tide begins in the Gulf of Mexico 10 to 40 miles offshore and can be transported inshore by winds and currents.

FWC Actions and Partnerships:

• FWC operates the toll-free fish kill hotline. To report fish kills, contact the FWC Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511 or submit a report online. Reports from this hotline help FWC researchers track and better understand the impact of red tide in Florida.
• FWC remains available to local agencies and partners in affected areas, including area business and tourism groups in southwest Florida. Any local agency or group that has any questions or concerns can contact Kelly Richmond from the FWC at 727-502-4784.
• FWC continues to partner with the Florida Department of Health to advise residents and visitors of any potential health impacts. Residents and visitors can contact the DOH’s aquatic toxin experts at 850-245-4250 or contact their local health department for any concern about health safety.
• FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and Mote Marine Laboratory work together to monitor Karenia brevis. This cooperative effort is designed to help mitigate the adverse impacts of red tide. This joint research program that includes red tide monitoring, research and public outreach and education has resulted in better tools and ongoing monitoring for red tides along the Gulf Coast.
• In partnership with the FWC, the Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides (CPR) at the University of South Florida offer a new Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) tracking tool that generates a 3.5-day forecast of the bloom trajectories.
• To protect public health, FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute’s Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) group closely monitors the status of K. brevis on Florida’s coasts, providing technical support to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the agency that regulates approved shellfish harvesting areas.  
• Since 2000, FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute established a Red Tide Offshore Monitoring Program, which is a volunteer program for citizens to help collect water samples from routine collection points and sites reported for suspected harmful algal blooms (HABs).The timely sampling by volunteers allows researchers to provide an early warning of offshore algal blooms and investigate reported events as they occur. The Program needs volunteers to collect samples from all coastal Florida counties. To view more information visit, Red Tide Offshore Monitoring Program or use the Volunteer SignUp Form.

Red Tide Resources

• Red tide facts and information pocket guide and Fact sheet
• Florida Department of Health　
• Mote Marine Laboratory Beach Condition Reporting System
• USF Collaboration for the Prediction of Red Tides (CPR)　
• NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System (HAB-OFS)　
• Florida red tide www.facebook.com/FLHABs/

Previous Regional Status Reports and Maps

June 30, 2017
Southwest coast report (PDF 116KB) and map (PDF 216KB)
East coast report (PDF 48KB) and map (PDF 228KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 52KB) and map (PDF 248KB)
Google Earth map

June 23, 2017
Southwest coast report (PDF 112KB) and map (PDF 212KB)
East coast report (PDF 52KB) and map (PDF 228KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 44KB) and map (PDF 244KB)
Google Earth map

June 16, 2017
Southwest coast report (PDF 152KB) and map (PDF 220KB)
East coast report (PDF 56KB) and map (PDF 228KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 60KB) and map (PDF 240KB)
Google Earth map

June 9, 2017
Southwest coast report (PDF 136KB) and map (PDF 216KB)
East coast report (PDF 52KB) and map (PDF 264KB)
Northwest coast report (PDF 56KB) and map (PDF 292KB)
Google Earth map

Additional archived status maps can be found on Flickr

Key for Results

Hotlines and Information Sources