Low Levels Of Red Tide Detected In Southwest Florida: Report

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA — Low levels of the toxic algae Karenia brevis, which is commonly known as red tide and occurs naturally, have been detected in the waters off Southwest Florida, the Herald-Tribune reported. The red tide was found offshore from Sarasota, Lee and Pinellas counties.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission samples water from different areas daily, reporting findings from the most recent eight days on its Daily Sample Map. Though red tide levels are low, the highest concentrations were found off Venice Beach, Service Club Park, the Venice Fishing Pier, Brohard Beach, Manasota Beach and Caspersen Beach in Sarasota County.

The last big red tide outbreak, which killed tens of thousands of marine life and turned the waters a dark color, took place from February 2017 to February 2019, reports said.