Red Tide Update - 9/22/06

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TerryW
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Joined: Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm
Location: Lakeland & Anna Maria Island
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Red Tide Update - 9/22/06

Post by TerryW »

NORTHWEST FLORIDA
No water samples were collected this week from northwest Florida. Samples collected last week in St. Joseph Bay (Gulf County) and 8 to 16 miles northwest of Bayport (Hernando County) contained no Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism.

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Extensive sampling conducted this week detected Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, both alongshore and offshore from Pinellas to Collier County, with the bloom extending farthest offshore west of Pinellas County. In Pinellas County K. brevis concentrations alongshore ranged from background near Tarpon Springs to medium along Clearwater Beach, Redington Beach, Ft. Desoto and the north Skyway Bridge Fishing Pier. Offshore concentrations ranged from not present 30 miles west of Anclote Key to high within 10 miles of Clearwater and Redington Beach. Concentrations in Manatee and Sarasota counties were generally highest nearshore with highest concentrations detected in the New Pass area of Sarasota. Patchy conditions remain in Charlotte and Lee counties, including areas of Gasparilla Sound and Pine Island Sound, where K. brevis concentrations ranged from not present to high. Both nearshore and offshore samples collected in Collier County contained concentrations ranging from not present to low. Several reports of fish kills have been received from areas of southwest Florida including Anclote Key, Indian Rocks Beach, Pass-a-Grille Beach, Desoto Point, Charlotte Harbor and Sanibel Island as well as reports from 12 to 30 miles west of southern Pinellas County. Fish kills and respiratory irritation are possible between northern Pinellas County and Collier County.

Populations of the marine cyanobacteria Trichodesmium were observed only along the western edge of the K. brevis bloom offshore. Trichodesmium can collect at the water surface and appear brown, green or white. Although non-toxic, at high concentrations this bloom may be mistaken for an oil or sewage spill.

The FWRI Red Tide Status Line is now available to callers to hear a recording detailing red tide conditions throughout the state. FWRI updates the recording each Friday by 5 p.m. after sampling efforts for the week have been completed and analyzed. Red Tide Status Line: (866) 300-9399 (toll-free inside Florida only); (727) 552-2448 (outside Florida).
Visit Florida Red Tide Current Status and select the statewide summary or a region of interest for more information and sampling details.
35/34.5/26 24/22/1/1

I finally found Cow Creek. It's at the end of the Road to Nowhere!
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