Red tide, fish kills return to Southwest Florida

Red tide has returned to Collier County beaches while a low-density patch of red tide has lingered offshore of Lee County for about a week.

The latest test results for Collier County show red tide is present at four of the five test sites.

Test results for water samples collected Monday showed Tuesday that the Florida red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected at medium concentrations at Barefoot Beach and Vanderbilt Beach.

Low concentrations were found at Seagate Beach and the Naples Pier. Only South Marco Beach did not have red tide present.

Medium concentrations of red tide can lead to respiratory irritation and make fish kills "probable," according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Low concentrations also can lead to respiratory irritation and "possible" fish kills.