Latest sampling confirms red tide is in decline

Water tests conducted during the past week in Southwest Florida seem to bolster some scientists' suspicion that red tide — that annoying algae that has killed fish, ruined beach trips, crimped hoteliers' coffers and cast something of a pall over the region's tourism-driven economic sector — might finally be dragging itself out of our way.

While it is clear that the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, remains in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico (as it does year-round, only blooming to life-affecting levels during some years), the most recent tests show that only Manatee County is seeing medium or high concentrations, and then in only two samples, according to reports from the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

Some level of red tide was detected in samples from Pinellas, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier levels on this coast and observed in background concentrations in one sample from Brevard County on the east coast, home to Melbourne and the John F. Kennedy Space Center.

No fish kills were reported at any site.

In Manatee County, a pocket of red tide south of the Manatee River was blamed for killing thousands of mullet in the bayou at Robinson Preserve last week.

Earlier this week, Robert Weisberg, a professor and oceanographer at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science, said, “I am optimistic of a continued abatement for reasons owing to the ocean circulation and what appears to be a decrease in what may be coming our way from offshore.”

The drop comes as Southwest Florida was lashed late Wednesday and Thursday by a powerful storm that worked its way through Florida, creating hazardous conditions and cooler temperatures. Wind is expected to pick up on Friday, with waves reaching 6 to 10 feet into Saturday. The tail end of the storm is expected to create life-threatening rip currents.

Traditionally, the winter storms that come this time of year to the region can herald the breakup of red tide blooms.