Red Tide Conditions in Southwest Florida Continue to Worsen

The current red tide status in Southwest Florida for the weekend of February 24-26 shows elevated levels of red tide across the region. Red tide conditions show high concentrations were measured from Sarasota, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Naples.

Over the past week, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 123 samples from and offshore of Southwest Florida. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in 75 samples: two in Pinellas County, seven in and offshore of Manatee County, 27 in and offshore of Sarasota County, seven in and offshore of Charlotte County, 22 in and offshore of Lee County, nine 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 patchy event (see report map for imagery from 2/23).

Reports of fish kills suspected to be related to red tide were received in Southwest Florida over the past week from Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties.

Over the past week, respiratory irritation suspected to be related to red tide was reported via the Beach Conditions Reporting System and/or the Fish Kill Hotline in Southwest Florida in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties.

The public should exercise caution in and around these areas. Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

• Look for informational signage posted at most beaches.
Stay away from the water, and do not swim in waters with dead fish.
• Those with chronic respiratory problems should be especially cautious and stay away from this location as red tide can affect your breathing.
Do not harvest or eat molluscan shellfish, or distressed or dead fish from this location. If caught live and healthy, finfish are safe to eat as long as they are filleted and the guts are discarded. Rinse fillets with tap or bottled water.
• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and fresh water if you have had recent contact with red tide.
Keep pets and livestock away and out of the water, sea foam and dead sea life. If your pet swims in waters with red tide, wash it as soon as possible.
• Residents living in beach areas are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner. Make sure that the A/C filter is maintained according to manufacturer’s specifications.
If outdoors near an affected location, residents may choose to wear masks, especially if onshore winds are blowing.

Red tide is one type of harmful algal bloom caused by high concentrations of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (K. brevis), a type of microscopic algae found in the Gulf of Mexico. Red tide typically forms naturally offshore, commonly in late summer or early fall, and is carried into coastal waters by winds and currents. Once inshore, these opportunistic organisms can use nearshore nutrient sources to fuel their growth. Blooms typically last into winter or spring, but in some cases, can endure for more than one year.

K. brevis produces potent neurotoxins (brevetoxins) that can be harmful to the health of both wildlife and people. Wind and wave action can break open K. brevis cells and release toxins into the air and trigger a red tide alert. This is why you should monitor conditions and use caution when visiting affected water bodies. People in coastal areas can experience varying degrees of eye, nose and throat irritation during a red tide bloom. Some individuals with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic lung disease might experience more severe symptoms.

Red tide toxins can also affect the central nervous system of fish and other marine life, which can lead to fish kills 2 and increased wildlife strandings or mortalities. Eating contaminated seafood can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in humans. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting; tingling of the mouth, lips and tongue; and slurred speech and dizziness. For a daily chart on Red Tide, go to MyFWC.com/redtidemap/

Here are your Weekend Vibes, what’s happening in Southwest Florida Feb 24-26. The last weekend in February is full of fun and adventure. Perhaps the biggest news is that baseball spring training games are officially underway. The first pitches thrown Friday and continue for a few weeks. In Fort Myers you can see the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins. In addition, the Tampa Bay Rays are in Port Charlotte.

Last week's Weekend Vibes made mention of Fort Myers Brewing Company's (FMB) big 10 year anniversary bash. It is actually THIS weekend. FMB is Southwest Florida's first big craft brewery and they like to party at their off the beaten path location east of I-75 on Daniels Parkway. Beer lovers will also be happy to know that the German American Social Club in Cape Coral is holding their first outdoor event since Hurricane Ian. The club is known to host the biggest Octoberfest celebration in the state. However, last year it was canceled. Now the club is hosting some smaller events to make up for it.

Perhaps you have some weekend events to share. If so, send them to me here.

Much of Southwest Florida is still in hurricane recovery mode.  Many local businesses are still closed and many people still without a place to live. However, more places are opening and more residents are finding relief. If you feel like getting out and about, we have a few ideas here. But then again, if you are still not feeling so great mentally that is OK too. We want to offer you some resources that might help. Click here and scroll down to find a few.

In the meantime, here are your Weekend Vibes, what’s happening in Southwest Florida Feb 24-26.

This fair has been in existence since 1924 and it has all the fun you might expect. Rides, food, strange exhibits, games and more. Prices and events vary widely so check out the website for the best information. There are bag policies so be sure to check that as well. At the Lee County Civic Center through March 5th.

This annual event in Labelle kicks off with a parade Saturday morning at 10am. The weekend events include car shows and rodeos, food and music and even The Budweiser Clydesdales.

At the German American Social Club on Pine Island Road in Cape Coral, the weekend party is a kind of Oktoberfest "do-over" with music, food and lots of fun.

Burrowing Owls could be considered Cape Coral's  most famous residents and they will be celebrated Saturday at Rotary Park. Check out the exhibits, including animals, kids activities and torus of the burrows. It's 10am-4pm, cost is $5

This is the first annual event in Riverside Park from 10am-4. The event benefits Hurricane Ian recovery. Enjoy food, vendors, craft beer and enjoy entertainment in the part. Family friendly.

See bull riding, barrel racing and more at this weekend's rodeo. The events are held in North Fort Myers,  at 17401 Palm Creek Dr. Adults $30, $15 kids.

In Punta Gorda, this is a national tour of historic military aircraft. Touch, feel, climb in, take pictures and even book flights in the B-24 Liberator. The planes are at Punta Gorda Airport.