Red tide found in Lee, Collier & Charlotte counties

FORT MYERS — In a mid-week red tide update from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, samples show that red tide is present in three Southwest Florida counties.

A bloom of the organism Karenia brevis — commonly called red tide — has been detected in the waters of Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. The latest satellite images from the University of South Florida and NOAA show that patches of elevated chlorophyll extend up to 35 miles offshore.

• In Lee County, background to high concentrations of red tide were detected.
• In Collier County, medium to high concentrations were observed.
• In Charlotte County, samples showed background to very low concentrations.

Fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were reported in Lee and Collier counties. If you see fish kills along shorelines, CLICK HERE to report it to FWC.

Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides predicts variable transport of surface waters in most areas from Pinellas to Monroe County over the next four days.