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Red tide strongly persists on Florida’s west coast and panhandle, dwindles on east coast

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Water samples from the west coast tested strongly positive for red tide algae, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s weekly report.

Karenia Brevis, aka red tide, was observed in high concentrations from Pinellas to Collier counties. Charlotte County observed a general increase in algae presence.

The panhandle observed a growth in red tide from the previous week in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Gulf counties, the report showed.

FWC’s weekly report showed east-coast water samples testing showed a small persisting presence of red tide from Brevard to Broward counties. However, as of Thursday morning, FWC’s daily water sample map showed that much of the east coast was free of red tide, excluding Martin County, which saw Coral Cove Beach testing for “high” concentrations and Blowing Rocks Beach yielding a “medium” concentration.

jpedersen@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5268, @JoeMarPedersen on Twitter or @JoeMarioPedersenJournals on Facebook