Red Tide

Red tide has been slowing drifting north in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Ian made landfall in Southwest Florida.

Low concentrations of the organism that causes red tide are no longer being reported at the mouth of Tampa Bay.

Florida Department of Health officials in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties are issuing health alerts daily warning of the real and present danger to human and animals.

High concentrations of the organism that causes red tide has been found in Southwest Florida since Hurricane Ian made landfall. Now, it's slowly moving north.

The organism that causes red tide has also been found at Anna Maria Island and Longboat Pass in Manatee County.

A report Friday from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows researchers found a bloom about 11 miles west of Bunces Pass, which runs between Fort DeSoto and Shell Key.

Researchers say Hurricane Ian brought red tide, destroyed artificial reefs from as far away as 30 miles from the coast of southwest Florida, and could impact the state's fishing industry.

The FWC's daily sample map Friday showed that within the most recent eight days of sampling, red tide blooms were detected near Punta Gorda Beach, Stump Pass, Little Gasparilla Island, Boca Grande, and Blind Pass.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation uses a drone to take images of the water coming from the Caloosahatchee River, which moves along the eastern edge of Sanibel Island and winds around Lighthouse Point as it moves into the open Gulf of Mexico.

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System's respiratory forecast showed Friday that Nokomis Beach has moderate respiratory irritation risk, and low risk in North Jetty and Venice Beach.

By analyzing 9 years of data, Florida researchers recently proved that toxic algae blooms are exacerbated by nutrient-rich freshwater releases. The results confirm what scientists, activists, fisherman and others have observed anecdotally for years.

In the next few months, scientists will be monitoring the current, temperature and tropical storm activity, as these factors can shift red tide blooms.