'Red tide' persists in Northwest Florida

FORT WALTON BEACH — Blooms of the harmful marine algae Karenia brevis, better known as red tide, continue to be an issue along the shores of Northwest Florida, according to the latest update for the region from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The FWC's mid-week report, released Wednesday, indicates "red tide" was responsible for reported fish kills in Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and Franklin counties.

Additionally, according to the FWC report, algae blooms were seen inshore and/or offshore in Santa Rosa, Escambia and Bay counties. In Santa Rosa and Escambia counties, the algae were present in medium concentrations, while the red tide observed in Bay County represented a high concentration of the algae.

Elsewhere in the state, along the east coast, reports of fish kills were received for Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie and Palm Beach counties.

The algae was also reported in the southwest part of the state, spanning from Pinellas to Monroe counties. Reports of fish kills were received from Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

The FWC's next red tide status report will be posted Friday, and will be available online at myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide. The website also provides links to additional information on Florida red tide including satellite imagery, the FWC Fish Kill Hotline and the Florida Poison Information Center (to report human health effects related to exposure to red tide).