PASS-A-GRILLE, Fla. — Red tide has reached Pinellas County.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said two samples show background-to-low concentrations of the red tide organism known as K. Brevis.
But FWC has not specified where exactly those samples were pulled. It’s the first time this the FWC is seeing samples creep into the “low” range in southern Pinellas County.
According to 10Weather meteorologist Grant Gilmore, the level of red tide is directly related to how many K. Brevis cells were found within a liter of a water sample.
In Pinellas County, there are no reports of dead fish and there’s not a rancid smell.
Conditions appear to be worsening farther south. Manatee and Sarasota counties are seeing some high concentrations, according to the FWC.
Samples from Manatee County show most areas now observing high concentrations of red tide, similar to the persistently high levels in Sarasota County.
In Sarasota County specifically, the FWC reports:
- 80 tons of fish have been removed from beaches from Sarasota up to Holmes Beach
- More than 250 sea turtles have been found stranded or dead because of red tide
- At least 80 manatee deaths are blamed on red tide
Testing is underway on several dolphins found dead in recent days to determine if red tide is to blame.
Although red tide has not been confirmed, it wouldn't be surprising. Mote Marine Laboratory researchers says the area gets about 15 dead dolphins a year, so to find six in less than 24 hours is alarming.
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