Elevated Red tide levels were reported across Southwest Florida. Sarasota, Pine Island, Sanibel, For Myers Beach, Bonita Beach, and down to Naples showing high concentrations.
Over the past week, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 107 samples from and offshore of Southwest Florida, and one from Florida’s East Coast.
Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in 59 samples from Southwest Florida: five in Manatee County, 18 in Sarasota County, nine in Charlotte County, 21 in and offshore of Lee County, five in and offshore of Collier County, and one offshore of Monroe County. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA NCCOS) to help track this event, and recent images indicate the presence of elevated chlorophyll patches offshore of Charlotte, Lee, Collier, and Monroe counties (see report map for imagery from 2/21). Additional details are provided below.
- In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at very low to low concentrations in Pinellas County, very low to medium concentrations in Manatee County, very low to high concentrations in Sarasota County, very low to high concentrations in Charlotte County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Lee County, background to high concentrations in and offshore of Collier County, and background to medium concentrations offshore of Monroe County.
- In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was not observed.
- Along the Florida East Coast over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in one sample from Palm Beach County.
Over the past week, reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received in Southwest Florida from Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties.
For more details, please visit https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/ and https://visitbeaches.org/.
Respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported via the Beach Conditions Reporting System and/or the Fish Kill Hotline over the past week in Southwest Florida in Pinellas County (Boca Ciega Bay, Pass-a-Grille, Treasure Island Beach), Manatee County (Anna Maria Island Rod & Reel Pier, Anna Maria Beach, Coquina Beach, Longboat Key Beach, Manatee Beach) Sarasota County (Caspersen Beach, Englewood Beach, Humphries Park, Lido Key Beach, Longboat Key, Manasota Key, Manasota Key Beach, Nokomis Beach, Siesta Key Beach, South Brohard Park, Turtle Beach, Venice Beach, Venice Fishing Pier, Venice North Jetty Beach), Charlotte County (Don Pedro Island Ferry Landing, Gasparilla Pass, Oyster Creek Park Kayak Launch, Palm Island Resort Beach, Stump Pass), Lee County (Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, Gasparilla Island State Park South Lighthouse, Lynn Hall Beach, Tarpon Bay Road Beach), and Collier County (Cape Romano Island, Gullivan Key, Lopez River, Lowdermilk Park, Naples, Naples Beach, Naples Pier, Panther Key, Round Key, Turtle Key, Vanderbilt Beach, Vedado Way Beach Access in Naples). For recent and current information at individual beaches, please visit https://visitbeaches.org/ and for forecasts that use FWC and partner data, please visit https://habforecast.gcoos.org/.
Forecasts by the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides for Pinellas County to northern Monroe County predict north/northwestern movement of surface waters and minimal net transport of subsurface waters in most areas over the next 3.5 days.
For more on Southwest Florida waters and our current elevated red tide conditions, , tune in to Reel Talk, Saturday mornings. For a daily updated red tide map, go here.
Naples Named Best Place To Live In The US
Living in SWFL is paradise and Naples has been named the best place to live in the US.
Naples, Florida is a beautiful coastal city located in Collier County. You'll find beautiful white sandy beaches, a year-round warm climate and a luxurious lifestyle. This Gulf Coast gem has landed on multiple lists of being a great place to live, and now it's on top.
First, Naples has a warm and sunny climate year-round. There's an average of 264 sunny days per year which makes the weather ideal for outdoor activities like golf, fishing and boating.
One of the main draws in Naples are the stunning beaches. With over ten miles of pristine, white-sand beaches there's plenty of space to sunbathe, swim and paddleboard at popular beaches like Vanderbilt Beach, Clam Pass Park and Lowdermilk Beach.
Naples is also home to a great arts scene. There are several museums, including the Naples Art Association and the Baker Museum at Artis-Naples. The Naples Players Theater and the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra provide theatergoers and classical music lovers with world-class performances.
Also, Naples screams luxury. There are lots of upscale shops, gorgeous hotels, fine dining restaurants and exclusive golf courses. Additionally, the city is home to several high-end gated communities like Port Royal, Pelican Bay and Park Shore.
What makes a city the best place to live?
Scholaroo compared 150 cities in the US in 9 different areas. Crime levels, Affordability, Quality of life, Leisure/Entertainment, Healthcare, Education, Employment, and Infrastructure. In their report, they revealed that Naples is the best city to live in the US. While Naples ranked dead last for affordability, it ranked #1 in both Leisure & Entertainment and Healthcare.
If you're a retiree seeking a peaceful place to settle down or a young professional in search of a thriving city, Naples undoubtedly has something to offer both.
I'm not sure I'd get too excited about living in some of these cities or states (Nebraska?!), but maybe there's something there! What do you think?
Top 10 Best Places to Live in the US, According to Scholaroo:
10. Lincoln, Nebraska
None of their numbers were particularly impressive, but Lincoln ranks in the top 50 in crime/safety, affordability and education.
9. Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is ranked #1 in both education and employment.
8. Papillion, Nebraska
Quality is life is pretty low in Papillion, but they ranked #8 in healthcare.
7. Madison, Mississippi
Madison came in last for leisure & entertainment, but if you're looking for a safe place with low crime and a good economy, you'll find it there.
6. Alpharetta, Georgia
Alpharetta didn't rank too high in affordability, but was ranked #3 in employment.
5. Naperville, Illinois
While Naperville ranked pretty low in affordability and quality of life, in the categories of economy and leisure & entertainment, it ranked in the top 10.
4. Amherst, New hampshire
Sounds like you won't have to worry much in Amherst, as it was ranked #1 in crime/safety.
3. Portland, Maine
Portland came in at #4 in leisure & entertainment.
2. Carmel, Indiana
Carmel ranked #2 in employment.
1. Naples, Florida
Naples came in dead last for affordability, but ranked #1 in both leisure & entertainment and healthcare.
