Red tide blooms increase locally
December 17, 2022 - According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) latest red tide update, bloom concentrations of Karenia brevis, the red tide organism, were present in 18 samples in and offshore Pinellas County. The latest red tide map shows blooms continuing to move northward from Sarasota and Manatee County. The FWC also reported fish kills and respiratory irritation around southern Pinellas due to the high concentrations.