Red tide threat eases along Florida's east coast beaches

The red tide algae bloom has receded along Florida's east coast, a relief for beachgoers. 

Testing by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission found the Karenia brevis algae that causes the red tide blooms at only background concentrations in the ocean along Brevard County beaches.

Further to the south, the red tide bloom-causing algae was found only at low to very low concentrations in Martin, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties, the Wildlife Commission said Friday. And no fish kills were reported this week along Florida's east coast beaches.

The algae was found at high counts along beaches between Boca Grande and Clearwater on the southwest coast. Fish kill reports continued in the area, along Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties on the and also in Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton and Bay counties along the Panhandle.