Following major rainfall events, the influx of nutrients into the coastal system from stormwater runoff can create favorable conditions for harmful algae blooms! With the west coast of Florida experiencing two major hurricanes back to back, both of which caused extensive rainfall and storm surge flooding, our risk of red tide in the area is [&#8230;]

Following major rainfall events, the influx of nutrients into the coastal system from stormwater runoff can create favorable conditions for harmful algae blooms! With the west coast of Florida experiencing two major hurricanes back to back, both of which caused extensive rainfall and storm surge flooding, our risk of red tide in the area is heightened. Large algae blooms of Karenia brevis, the algae that produce red tide, have been detected following several other hurricanes in the past.
<h1>Current red tide</h1>
<figure id="attachment_6529" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6529" style="width: 477px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" class="wp-image-6529 " src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pascoco/files/2024/10/redtide-cholorphyll-2-300x204.png" alt="Map of the west coast of Florida showing high concentrations of Karenia brevis in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Pinellas County " width="477" height="324" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6529" class="wp-caption-text">Karenia brevis concentration in the Gulf of Mexico as shown by chlorophyll fluorescence. Image from: NOAA</figcaption></figure>
According to FWC, as of 18 October 2024, a large algae bloom can currently be observed off the coast of the western Florida coastline, near Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. High levels of Karenia brevis were measured offshore of Pinellas County, however, Florida&#8217;s western inshore coastlines are currently not showing the presence of red tide. No fish kills have been reported as of yet.
Models show currents moving the offshore blooms towards the coastal regions over the next week, which could allow people and animals in coastal communities to feel the effects of red tide. Due to the high levels of rainfall and storm surge runoff in the coastal waters, caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton, nutrient concentrations in coastal waters are high. These high nutrient levels would favor red tide bloom development if the algae makes its way close enough to the coast.
<h1></h1>
Currently, red tide, along the coast is not likely to cause respiratory irritation as levels remain low or not detected (18 October 2024, FWC).
<h6>To monitor the current levels of Karenia brevis near you use the <a href="https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/">FWC Red Tide current stats</a> page.</h6>
<h6>The daily map of the measured sampling can be found here: <a href="https://myfwc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=87162eec3eb846218cec711d16462a72">MAP </a></h6>
<h6>If you see a fish kill and suspect it is be related to red tide you can report it here: <a href="https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/">Fish kill hotline</a></h6>
<h1>Harmful algae blooms</h1>
Algae blooms occur when colonies of algae grow out of control as levels of nutrients that enter the coastal waters exceed certain thresholds. These algae blooms can dominate the water column, blocking out sunlight, reducing oxygen levels, and releasing toxins, causing harm to plants, animals, and humans.
<h2>Red Tide</h2>
Red tide is a type of harmful algae bloom (HAB) caused by a type of marine phytoplankton called dinoflagellates.  The specific microalgae that cause red tide, Karenia brevis, can bloom in such large amounts that the waters turn red, green, or brown. Karenia brevis algae blooms can also produce toxins that can cause illness and in some cases lead to death.
Red tide is not only harmful to the health of marine and coastal organisms but can also have serious impacts on the local economy, as tourism dwindles and shellfish fisheries are shut down.
<h3>Dead zones</h3>
<figure id="attachment_6541" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-6541" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-6541 size-medium lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="A beach with many dead fish" width="300" height="200" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pascoco/files/2024/10/clipboard-image-1729283838-1-300x200.png"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-6541" class="wp-caption-text">Fish killed on beach by red tide. Image: Florida Sea Grant</figcaption></figure>
The algae responsible for red tide are far more harmful than non-toxic algal blooms because they both reduce oxygen levels in the water and release toxic substances, leading to issues for marine life and humans. Although the algae flourish during a bloom, they eventually die off in large numbers. This decay process further depletes oxygen in the water, potentially resulting in &#8220;dead zones&#8221; where oxygen is completely absent. In these conditions, sea life will either suffocate or leave the area, unable to survive in the low-oxygen environment.
&nbsp;
<h3>Toxins</h3>
The secondary, but more sinister threat red tide brings is brevetoxins, which impact the central nervous system in animals. These toxins produced by the algae can cause severe sickness in people, animals, and shellfish. The toxins can be hazardous if ingested, either from contaminated water or by consuming shellfish that have been exposed to toxic waters. Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning is common, as the shellfish directly filter the algae and accumulate high levels of toxins. Therefore, you should avoid eating shellfish during periods when toxin levels in the water are elevated.
Wave action can break apart the Karenia brevis algae, releasing brevetoxins into the air. Once airborne, these toxins can lead to significant respiratory irritation, making it difficult to breathe. For individuals with asthma or other respiratory issues, this can result in serious, and sometimes fatal, health problems. Those near red tide events may also experience shortness of breath, coughing, skin irritation, and burning eyes. Pets can suffer similar effects.
Overall, the toxins and impacts of red tide can pose a threat to humans, fish, birds, and other marine animals, such as manatees and turtles.
<h1>Causes</h1>
Red tide is a natural event with annual blooms occurring almost annually in the Gulf of Mexico, but specific environmental conditions can lead to more frequent and severe blooms.
These blooms usually start in offshore waters, where algae growth gradually increases. As the bloom grows the wind and currents can push the bloom inshore towards coastal areas. If nutrient levels in these inshore waters are high, the bloom can “explode,” growing rapidly and exemplifying local impacts. It is along the coastlines where the largest effects, such as fish kills and respiratory illness are observed.
Coastal and marine habitats need specific levels of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, to flourish. However, excessive nutrient concentrations can harm these ecosystems. Stormwater runoff containing sewage, fertilizers, and other pollutants can lead to elevated nutrient levels. These high concentrations effectively &#8220;nourish&#8221; algal blooms, contributing to severe red tide events.
&nbsp;
<h4>More information can be found below:</h4>
Predicted Intensification forecast: <a href="https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-forecasts/gulf-of-mexico/florida-intensification-forecast/">https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-forecasts/gulf-of-mexico/florida-intensification-forecast/</a>
Algae bloom satellite map: <a href="https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-forecasts/gulf-of-mexico/florida-satellite-imagery/">https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-forecasts/gulf-of-mexico/florida-satellite-imagery/</a>
Learn more about local red tide here: <a href="https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/">https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/</a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
For more detailed information, contact your local University of Florida <a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/.">Extension Office</a>.
<h3>Have a question?</h3>
If you have any questions about coastline protection in Pasco County Florida, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Sea Grant Agent for Pasco County at <a href="mailto:me.moore@ufl.edu">me.moore@ufl.edu</a>.
<h3>Follow us!</h3>
We have several ways to connect. Visit our <a class="attrlink" href="https://www.facebook.com/seagrantpasco" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" data-target-href="https://www.facebook.com/PascoExt/">Facebook</a>, <a class="attrlink" href="https://www.instagram.com/uf_ifas/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" data-target-href="https://www.instagram.com/uf_ifas/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a class="attrlink" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/o/ufifas-pasco-county-cooperative-extension-7831617239" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" data-target-href="https://www.eventbrite.com/o/ufifas-pasco-county-cooperative-extension-7831617239">Eventbrite</a>, <a class="attrlink" href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/about/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" data-target-href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/about/">Blogs</a>,  <a class="attrlink" href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer nofollow noopener" data-target-href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/pasco/">Website</a>
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Following major rainfall events, the influx of nutrients into the coastal system from stormwater runoff can create favorable conditions for harmful algae blooms! With the west coast of Florida experiencing two major hurricanes back to back, both of which caused extensive rainfall and storm surge flooding, our risk of red tide in the area is heightened. Large algae blooms of Karenia brevis, the algae that produce red tide, have been detected following several other hurricanes in the past.
Current red tide
Karenia brevis concentration in the Gulf of Mexico as shown by chlorophyll fluorescence. Image from: NOAA
According to FWC, as of 18 October 2024, a large algae bloom can currently be observed off the coast of the western Florida coastline, near Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. High levels of Karenia brevis were measured offshore of Pinellas County, however, Florida’s western inshore coastlines are currently not showing the presence of red tide. No fish kills have been reported as of yet.
Models show currents moving the offshore blooms towards the coastal regions over the next week, which could allow people and animals in coastal communities to feel the effects of red tide. Due to the high levels of rainfall and storm surge runoff in the coastal waters, caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton, nutrient concentrations in coastal waters are high. These high nutrient levels would favor red tide bloom development if the algae makes its way close enough to the coast.

Currently, red tide, along the coast is not likely to cause respiratory irritation as levels remain low or not detected (18 October 2024, FWC).
To monitor the current levels of Karenia brevis near you use the FWC Red Tide current stats page.
The daily map of the measured sampling can be found here: MAP 
If you see a fish kill and suspect it is be related to red tide you can report it here: Fish kill hotline
Harmful algae blooms
Algae blooms occur when colonies of algae grow out of control as levels of nutrients that enter the coastal waters exceed certain thresholds. These algae blooms can dominate the water column, blocking out sunlight, reducing oxygen levels, and releasing toxins, causing harm to plants, animals, and humans.
Red Tide
Red tide is a type of harmful algae bloom (HAB) caused by a type of marine phytoplankton called dinoflagellates.  The specific microalgae that cause red tide, Karenia brevis, can bloom in such large amounts that the waters turn red, green, or brown. Karenia brevis algae blooms can also produce toxins that can cause illness and in some cases lead to death.
Red tide is not only harmful to the health of marine and coastal organisms but can also have serious impacts on the local economy, as tourism dwindles and shellfish fisheries are shut down.
Dead zones
Fish killed on beach by red tide. Image: Florida Sea Grant
The algae responsible for red tide are far more harmful than non-toxic algal blooms because they both reduce oxygen levels in the water and release toxic substances, leading to issues for marine life and humans. Although the algae flourish during a bloom, they eventually die off in large numbers. This decay process further depletes oxygen in the water, potentially resulting in “dead zones” where oxygen is completely absent. In these conditions, sea life will either suffocate or leave the area, unable to survive in the low-oxygen environment.
 
Toxins
The secondary, but more sinister threat red tide brings is brevetoxins, which impact the central nervous system in animals. These toxins produced by the algae can cause severe sickness in people, animals, and shellfish. The toxins can be hazardous if ingested, either from contaminated water or by consuming shellfish that have been exposed to toxic waters. Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning is common, as the shellfish directly filter the algae and accumulate high levels of toxins. Therefore, you should avoid eating shellfish during periods when toxin levels in the water are elevated.
Wave action can break apart the Karenia brevis algae, releasing brevetoxins into the air. Once airborne, these toxins can lead to significant respiratory irritation, making it difficult to breathe. For individuals with asthma or other respiratory issues, this can result in serious, and sometimes fatal, health problems. Those near red tide events may also experience shortness of breath, coughing, skin irritation, and burning eyes. Pets can suffer similar effects.
Overall, the toxins and impacts of red tide can pose a threat to humans, fish, birds, and other marine animals, such as manatees and turtles.
Causes
Red tide is a natural event with annual blooms occurring almost annually in the Gulf of Mexico, but specific environmental conditions can lead to more frequent and severe blooms.
These blooms usually start in offshore waters, where algae growth gradually increases. As the bloom grows the wind and currents can push the bloom inshore towards coastal areas. If nutrient levels in these inshore waters are high, the bloom can “explode,” growing rapidly and exemplifying local impacts. It is along the coastlines where the largest effects, such as fish kills and respiratory illness are observed.
Coastal and marine habitats need specific levels of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, to flourish. However, excessive nutrient concentrations can harm these ecosystems. Stormwater runoff containing sewage, fertilizers, and other pollutants can lead to elevated nutrient levels. These high concentrations effectively “nourish” algal blooms, contributing to severe red tide events.
 
More information can be found below:
Predicted Intensification forecast: https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-forecasts/gulf-of-mexico/florida-intensification-forecast/
Algae bloom satellite map: https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-forecasts/gulf-of-mexico/florida-satellite-imagery/
Learn more about local red tide here: https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/
 
 
For more detailed information, contact your local University of Florida Extension Office.
Have a question?
If you have any questions about coastline protection in Pasco County Florida, please contact the UF/IFAS Extension Sea Grant Agent for Pasco County at me.moore@ufl.edu.
Follow us!
We have several ways to connect. Visit our Facebook, Instagram, Eventbrite, Blogs,  Website
 
An Equal Opportunity Institution.

Following major rainfall events, the influx of nutrients into the coastal system from stormwater runoff can create favorable conditions for harmful algae blooms! With the west coast of Florida experiencing two major hurricanes back to back, both of which caused extensive rainfall and storm surge flooding, our risk of red tide in the area is […]

Hurricane Hazards: Red Tide

In fisheries management, setting the acceptable biological catch (ABC) is vital to ensure sustainable harvest without overexploiting fish stocks. The ABC determines how much fish can be harvested each year, and is estimated using a stock assessment model that brings together multiple data sources to estimate fish abundance and productivity.  However, in the Gulf of [&#8230;]

<figure id="attachment_4501" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4501" style="width: 540px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" class="wp-image-4501 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="Photo by scanning electron microscope of Karenia brevis aka red tide. Courtesy of FWC" width="540" height="394" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/K.-brevis-aka-red-tide-FWC-photo.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4501" class="wp-caption-text">Photo taken from a scanning electron microscope of Karenia brevis aka red tide. Photo By: FWC. * Banner photo: A red tide killed snook washed ashore in Southwest Florida. Photo By: Chris O&#8217;Meara AP.</figcaption></figure>
In fisheries management, setting the acceptable biological catch (ABC) is vital to ensure sustainable harvest without overexploiting fish stocks. The ABC determines how much fish can be harvested each year, and is estimated using a stock assessment model that brings together multiple data sources to estimate fish abundance and productivity.  However, in the Gulf of Mexico, red tides introduce a lot of uncertainty into this process. Ongoing red tide blooms can leave managers guessing about their impacts on fish stocks when trying to set the ABC. This uncertainty about red tide impacts can lead to lower catch levels for commercial and recreational fishers, resulting in a lower ABC and less opportunities to bring fish home. To learn more about the ins and outs of  fisheries management in Florida, check out the third education module in the FREE <a href="https://ifas-seagrant.catalog.instructure.com/?filters%5B%5D=free">Florida Friendly Angler</a> online program!
<figure id="attachment_4493" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4493" style="width: 354px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4493 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="354" height="186" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/The-OFL-ABC-ACL-ACT-framework.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4493" class="wp-caption-text">Framework of harvest limits used in fisheries management</figcaption></figure>
Red tides affect fish populations and ecosystems in several ways.  First, the brevetoxin released by red tide affects the central nervous system of fish and can result in large fish kills. Moreover, there are multiple sublethal and indirect effects of red tide such as low oxygen, impacts to benthic habitat, movement, and food web dynamics. Red tide could possibly alter the amount of bait/forage available for our prized game fish to eat and negatively impact the habitat where they live. In other words, a gag grouper that is exposed to red tide or poor water quality will have less food to eat, slower growth, and be less likely to survive, reproduce, and maybe one day be caught.  Combined with the fact that red tide doesn’t occur in the same place every time, with the same severity or duration makes estimating red tide impacts on reef fish species tough!
<figure id="attachment_4497" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4497" style="width: 407px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4497 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="407" height="305" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/Sheepshead1.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4497" class="wp-caption-text">A sheepshead washed ashore from a red tide bloom in Southwest Florida. Photo By: Bryan Fluech.</figcaption></figure>
To tackle this difficult task of estimating red tide impacts on fish stocks and helping make better informed management decisions, comes a new project that aims to a estimate and incorporating red tide mortality into the ABC determination for Gulf of Mexico (GoM) reef fishes. The “<a href="https://restoreactscienceprogram.noaa.gov/projects/red-tide-and-reef-fish-modeling">Operationalizing the West Florida Shelf ecosystem model and application to red tides, stock assessment, and catch advice for Gulf of Mexico reef fish</a>” project was funded by the NOAA Restore Science Program.  The project team is developing satellite products to map red tides that will inform an ecosystem model designed to account for factors like the severity and duration of red tide blooms, their lethal and sublethal impact on fish and other marine fauna, and ecosystem dynamics.
<figure id="attachment_4499" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4499" style="width: 583px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4499 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="583" height="232" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/Fig-2.-K.-brevis-bloom-frequency-maps-from-integration-of-water-sample-data-and-MODIS-satellite-observations.-Figure-adapted-from-Hu-et-al.-2022.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4499" class="wp-caption-text">Bloom frequency maps from integration of water sample data and MODIS satellite observations. Figure adapted from Hu et al. (2022).</figcaption></figure>
In previous work, the ecosystem model was used to inform the ABC for gag grouper, resulting in a longer fishing season because the impacts on ongoing blooms were estimated to be lower than anticipated.  The project team will refine the model&#8217;s inputs and extend its application to additional GoM reef fishes over the next five years. Furthermore, it will develop improved satellite-derived red tide maps and update biogeochemical models to estimate nutrient and oxygen dynamics. These model improvements will enable more precise estimation of red tide mortality rates on various reef fish species undergoing stock assessments. The project outcomes will be presented at workshops and incorporated into stock assessments, ensuring that the ABC reflects current red tide conditions. By operationalizing this modeling framework, fisheries managers can conduct routine red tide assessments, enhancing the sustainability of Gulf fisheries!
<h2></h2>
<h2>Where you can help!</h2>
<h3>Are you an angler, boater or beach goer living in Florida and wish to help researchers know more about red tide?</h3>
<figure id="attachment_4745" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4745" style="width: 450px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4745 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="450" height="576" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/Fish-Kill-Hotline-.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4745" class="wp-caption-text">The web-based FWC Fish Kill Hotline form. Responses are also collected through phone by calling 1-800-636-0511.</figcaption></figure>
<h3><a href="https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/2485ecbeded748689725da57b1bc319a">Then please consider submitting data to the FWC Fish Kill Hotline anytime you experience dead marine life, particularly when red tide may be present! </a></h3>
The Fish Kill Hotline survey tool used to collect general fish kill reports may be accessed via the hyperlink above or by copy and pasting this link into your browser:
<a href="https://bit.ly/FKHotline">https://bit.ly/FKHotline </a>
OR
<a href="https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AOsyJqHCThEPb0">https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/2485ecbeded748689725da57b1bc319ahttps://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AOsyJqHCThEPb0</a>
OR
By calling 1-800-636-0511 and letting them know what you have seen!
Learn more about the <a href="https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/#:~:text=You%20can%20also%20contact%20the,of%20fish%20kills%20and%20disease.">FWC Fish Kill Hotline by visiting their landing page here</a>
<figure id="attachment_4743" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4743" style="width: 385px" class="wp-caption alignright"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4743 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="385" height="362" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/FWC-fish-kill-hotline-screen-grab.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4743" class="wp-caption-text">Neat and helpful data generated from FWC Fish Kill Hotline responses. This information can assist managers know where kills are occurring, the magnitude of the damage and more which can help identify cause of mortality.</figcaption></figure>
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Fish kills aren&#8217;t unique to red tide, there can be a number of causes how and why they can occur (low dissolved oxygen, pollution, storms/tidal surge, blue green algae); however for the project above, we are most interested in marine reports. Information researchers are interested in for this project includes: where did you encounter red tide? Did you see any dead/dying marine life? If so which species? Did your plans change due to encountering red tide? These and a few more questions can improve the models and help managers a TON by helping us determine how fisheries are affected by red tides!
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Have a question about red tide and fisheries management you would like answered? <a href="https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1RZnQdqIrIeOgXY">Submit your question via this link here and check back to this blog periodically where selected questions and answers will be posted!</a>
<figure id="attachment_4505" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4505" style="width: 452px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-4505 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="452" height="338" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/Photo-Kate-Spinner-Red-tide-Sarasota-Herald-Tribune-1.jpg"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4505" class="wp-caption-text">A typical sight during a red tide bloom with both forage and game fish washed ashore. Help us determine which fish dying, where and when by responding to the reporting survey above! Photo By: Kate Spinner Sarasota Herald-Tribune.</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Resources:</h2>
<ul>
<li>Red Tide Updates:
<ul>
<li>There are plenty(!) of resources and educational materials created about red tide! Check the links below to find information on red tide monitoring, forecasts and beach conditions that you may want to add to your red tide tackle box if and when a bloom occurs.  <a href="https://myfwc.com/research/about/connect/subscribe/">The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) has a service where you can subscribe to to receive weekly email and/or text notifications on the detection and current status of red tide throughout the state.  </a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://member.everbridge.net/453003085614923/login"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-4559 alignright" src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/collierco/files/2024/06/Naples-Red-tide-status.jpg" alt="" width="378" height="184" /></a>
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none">
<ul>
<li>Collier County also has an automated notification system regarding red tide presence/status at county specific locations. <a href="https://member.everbridge.net/453003085614923/login">To sign up for theses updates check out this link</a><a href="https://member.everbridge.net/453003085614923/login">.</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/health/fish-kills-hotline/causes/">Common Causes of Fish Kills in Florida</a>&#8211; Dead fish doesn’t always mean red tide, low dissolved oxygen, blue green algae, and extreme weather events can result in a fish kill. Check the link to learn more!</li>
<li>Monitoring: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/?redirect=redtidestatus">FWC Link to current red tide status throughout the state of Florida</a></li>
<li><a href="https://visitbeaches.org/beach/49/report/41723">Mote Marine Laboratory beach condition reporting system for Florida</a>. Information regarding red tide presence with plenty of info on tidal and environmental conditions across many beaches within our state. </li>
<li><a href="http://ocgweb.marine.usf.edu/hab_tracking/HAB_trajectories.html">USF Ocean Circulation Lab Red Tide Prediction and Tracking</a></li>
<li><a href="https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-forecasts/gulf-of-mexico/">National Centers For Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) harmful algae bloom forecasts for Florida and Texas</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Reporting:
<ul>
<li>Live on the west coast of Florida and would like to help researchers record observations during a red tide? <a href="https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AOsyJqHCThEPb0">Please consider taking this brief survey when you encounter a bloom near you.</a></li>
<li>FWC Fish Kill Hotline 800-636-0511 </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Red Tide Fact Sheets:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://myfwc.com/media/12422/karenia-brevis-factsheet.pdf">Karenia brevis (red tide) fact sheet</a></li>
<li><a href="https://myfwc.com/media/16370/2013-ecphab-brochure_red-tides-on-the-west-florida-shelf.pdf">Red Tides on the West Florida Shelf</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Red Tide FAQs:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/faq/">FWC red tide frequently asked questions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-forecasts/gulf-of-mexico/faqs/">National Centers For Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Gulf of Mexico harmful algal bloom frequently asked questions</a></li>
<li><a href="https://mote.org/news/florida-red-tide">Mote Marine red tide frequently asked questions</a></li>
<li>Blog: <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotteco/2018/08/14/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-2018-red-tide-bloom/">Frequently Asked Questions about the 2018 Red Tide Bloom</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Red Tide Seafood Safety/Fishing: 
<ul>
<li>Blog: <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2023/03/29/when-red-tide-hits-is-your-seafood-safe-a-uf-expert-answers-questions/">When red tide hits, is your seafood safe? A UF expert answers questions</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Red Tide General Info: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://myfwc.com/media/21885/bloom-historic-database.pdf">Historic frequency of red tide in Florida by year and month in Florida, FWC</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Videos: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1er085e7M54">Red Tide in Florida FWC Infographic Video</a> (4:32)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VRyW2C3yhg">Red Tide Facts and Myths Collier County Video</a> (26:32)</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26l5I50KbL4">Red Tide and Seafood Safety FWC Infographic Video</a> (4:19)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Peer Reviewed Papers:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20411030/">Literature Review of Florida Red Tide: Implications for Human Health Effects</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v378/p171-186/">Effects of Karenia brevis harmful algal blooms on nearshore fish communities in southwest Florida</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304380018304101?casa_token=CWsj_EO99pAAAAAA:0gpg-eCsFDqwSa6jxHokVVG0Yp6_gRJF8S93ClFyG_y2rARq-fZWlTPP4dc9Cjd5pj_HKU62TA">Effects of Karenia brevis harmful algal blooms on fish community structure on the West Florida Shelf</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-29327-z">Evaluating red tide effects on the West Florida Shelf using a spatiotemporal ecosystem modeling framework</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1568988308001571?casa_token=zKOrbpFokv8AAAAA:dD0iAZWpEDZ1oWsNR-2S_thvqsdw-kd9-go_8ptY3scuU70LkHUuir4tK-ZqllknBQN2CixMKg">Karenia brevis red tides, brevetoxins in the food web, and impacts on natural resources: Decadal advancements</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Blue-Green Algae aka Cyanobacteria and other HABs:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/manateeco/2020/07/14/resources-for-understanding-blue-green-algae-cyanobacteria-blooms/">Resources for understanding blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>General resources: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://water.ifas.ufl.edu/harmful-algal-blooms/faq/">University of Florida harmful algae bloom website.</a> Information of causes, effects, solutions and FAQs of HABs</li>
<li><a href="https://www.protectingfloridatogether.gov/education-center">Protecting Florida Together</a>; website with information regarding red tide/blue green algae task force, habitat restoration etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%;">				<iframe loading="lazy" title="Swimming Karenia brevis 10&#039;" style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" src="https://embedr.flickr.com/photos/44940561414" width="500" height="373" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Karenia brevis aka &#8220;red tide&#8221; cells swimming! These microscopic organisms belong to the dinoflagellate phylum of algae which have appendages that allow them to move around in the water column. The word dinoflagellate is derived from the Greek dînos meaning  &#8220;whirling&#8221; and Latin flagellum meaning &#8220;whip.&#8221; K. brevis&#8217;s unique motion helps researchers identify red tide cells from other phytoplankton and algae in a water sample.

Photo taken from a scanning electron microscope of Karenia brevis aka red tide. Photo By: FWC. * Banner photo: A red tide killed snook washed ashore in Southwest Florida. Photo By: Chris O’Meara AP.
In fisheries management, setting the acceptable biological catch (ABC) is vital to ensure sustainable harvest without overexploiting fish stocks. The ABC determines how much fish can be harvested each year, and is estimated using a stock assessment model that brings together multiple data sources to estimate fish abundance and productivity.  However, in the Gulf of Mexico, red tides introduce a lot of uncertainty into this process. Ongoing red tide blooms can leave managers guessing about their impacts on fish stocks when trying to set the ABC. This uncertainty about red tide impacts can lead to lower catch levels for commercial and recreational fishers, resulting in a lower ABC and less opportunities to bring fish home. To learn more about the ins and outs of  fisheries management in Florida, check out the third education module in the FREE Florida Friendly Angler online program!
Framework of harvest limits used in fisheries management
Red tides affect fish populations and ecosystems in several ways.  First, the brevetoxin released by red tide affects the central nervous system of fish and can result in large fish kills. Moreover, there are multiple sublethal and indirect effects of red tide such as low oxygen, impacts to benthic habitat, movement, and food web dynamics. Red tide could possibly alter the amount of bait/forage available for our prized game fish to eat and negatively impact the habitat where they live. In other words, a gag grouper that is exposed to red tide or poor water quality will have less food to eat, slower growth, and be less likely to survive, reproduce, and maybe one day be caught.  Combined with the fact that red tide doesn’t occur in the same place every time, with the same severity or duration makes estimating red tide impacts on reef fish species tough!
A sheepshead washed ashore from a red tide bloom in Southwest Florida. Photo By: Bryan Fluech.
To tackle this difficult task of estimating red tide impacts on fish stocks and helping make better informed management decisions, comes a new project that aims to a estimate and incorporating red tide mortality into the ABC determination for Gulf of Mexico (GoM) reef fishes. The “Operationalizing the West Florida Shelf ecosystem model and application to red tides, stock assessment, and catch advice for Gulf of Mexico reef fish” project was funded by the NOAA Restore Science Program.  The project team is developing satellite products to map red tides that will inform an ecosystem model designed to account for factors like the severity and duration of red tide blooms, their lethal and sublethal impact on fish and other marine fauna, and ecosystem dynamics.
Bloom frequency maps from integration of water sample data and MODIS satellite observations. Figure adapted from Hu et al. (2022).
In previous work, the ecosystem model was used to inform the ABC for gag grouper, resulting in a longer fishing season because the impacts on ongoing blooms were estimated to be lower than anticipated.  The project team will refine the model’s inputs and extend its application to additional GoM reef fishes over the next five years. Furthermore, it will develop improved satellite-derived red tide maps and update biogeochemical models to estimate nutrient and oxygen dynamics. These model improvements will enable more precise estimation of red tide mortality rates on various reef fish species undergoing stock assessments. The project outcomes will be presented at workshops and incorporated into stock assessments, ensuring that the ABC reflects current red tide conditions. By operationalizing this modeling framework, fisheries managers can conduct routine red tide assessments, enhancing the sustainability of Gulf fisheries!

Where you can help!
Are you an angler, boater or beach goer living in Florida and wish to help researchers know more about red tide?
The web-based FWC Fish Kill Hotline form. Responses are also collected through phone by calling 1-800-636-0511.
Then please consider submitting data to the FWC Fish Kill Hotline anytime you experience dead marine life, particularly when red tide may be present! 
The Fish Kill Hotline survey tool used to collect general fish kill reports may be accessed via the hyperlink above or by copy and pasting this link into your browser:
https://bit.ly/FKHotline 
OR
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/2485ecbeded748689725da57b1bc319ahttps://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1AOsyJqHCThEPb0
OR
By calling 1-800-636-0511 and letting them know what you have seen!
Learn more about the FWC Fish Kill Hotline by visiting their landing page here
Neat and helpful data generated from FWC Fish Kill Hotline responses. This information can assist managers know where kills are occurring, the magnitude of the damage and more which can help identify cause of mortality.
 
Fish kills aren’t unique to red tide, there can be a number of causes how and why they can occur (low dissolved oxygen, pollution, storms/tidal surge, blue green algae); however for the project above, we are most interested in marine reports. Information researchers are interested in for this project includes: where did you encounter red tide? Did you see any dead/dying marine life? If so which species? Did your plans change due to encountering red tide? These and a few more questions can improve the models and help managers a TON by helping us determine how fisheries are affected by red tides!
 
 
 
Have a question about red tide and fisheries management you would like answered? Submit your question via this link here and check back to this blog periodically where selected questions and answers will be posted!
A typical sight during a red tide bloom with both forage and game fish washed ashore. Help us determine which fish dying, where and when by responding to the reporting survey above! Photo By: Kate Spinner Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Resources:
Red Tide Updates:

There are plenty(!) of resources and educational materials created about red tide! Check the links below to find information on red tide monitoring, forecasts and beach conditions that you may want to add to your red tide tackle box if and when a bloom occurs.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) has a service where you can subscribe to to receive weekly email and/or text notifications on the detection and current status of red tide throughout the state.  

Collier County also has an automated notification system regarding red tide presence/status at county specific locations. To sign up for theses updates check out this link.
 
Common Causes of Fish Kills in Florida– Dead fish doesn’t always mean red tide, low dissolved oxygen, blue green algae, and extreme weather events can result in a fish kill. Check the link to learn more!
Monitoring: 

FWC Link to current red tide status throughout the state of Florida
Mote Marine Laboratory beach condition reporting system for Florida. Information regarding red tide presence with plenty of info on tidal and environmental conditions across many beaches within our state. 
USF Ocean Circulation Lab Red Tide Prediction and Tracking
National Centers For Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) harmful algae bloom forecasts for Florida and Texas
Reporting:

Live on the west coast of Florida and would like to help researchers record observations during a red tide? Please consider taking this brief survey when you encounter a bloom near you.
FWC Fish Kill Hotline 800-636-0511 
Red Tide Fact Sheets:

Karenia brevis (red tide) fact sheet
Red Tides on the West Florida Shelf
Red Tide FAQs:

FWC red tide frequently asked questions
National Centers For Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Gulf of Mexico harmful algal bloom frequently asked questions
Mote Marine red tide frequently asked questions
Blog: Frequently Asked Questions about the 2018 Red Tide Bloom
Red Tide Seafood Safety/Fishing: 

Blog: When red tide hits, is your seafood safe? A UF expert answers questions
Red Tide General Info: 

Historic frequency of red tide in Florida by year and month in Florida, FWC
Videos: 

Red Tide in Florida FWC Infographic Video (4:32)
Red Tide Facts and Myths Collier County Video (26:32)
Red Tide and Seafood Safety FWC Infographic Video (4:19)
Peer Reviewed Papers:

Literature Review of Florida Red Tide: Implications for Human Health Effects
Effects of Karenia brevis harmful algal blooms on nearshore fish communities in southwest Florida
Effects of Karenia brevis harmful algal blooms on fish community structure on the West Florida Shelf
Evaluating red tide effects on the West Florida Shelf using a spatiotemporal ecosystem modeling framework
Karenia brevis red tides, brevetoxins in the food web, and impacts on natural resources: Decadal advancements
Blue-Green Algae aka Cyanobacteria and other HABs:

Resources for understanding blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms
General resources: 

University of Florida harmful algae bloom website. Information of causes, effects, solutions and FAQs of HABs
Protecting Florida Together; website with information regarding red tide/blue green algae task force, habitat restoration etc.
				
Karenia brevis aka “red tide” cells swimming! These microscopic organisms belong to the dinoflagellate phylum of algae which have appendages that allow them to move around in the water column. The word dinoflagellate is derived from the Greek dînos meaning  “whirling” and Latin flagellum meaning “whip.” K. brevis’s unique motion helps researchers identify red tide cells from other phytoplankton and algae in a water sample.

In fisheries management, setting the acceptable biological catch (ABC) is vital to ensure sustainable harvest without overexploiting fish stocks. The ABC determines how much fish can be harvested each year, and is estimated using a stock assessment model that brings together multiple data sources to estimate fish abundance and productivity.  However, in the Gulf of […]

Red Tide, Fisheries Modeling and Citizen Science: Casting a Line to Anglers and Gulf of Mexico Stakeholders for Better Data!

If you live in Florida, chances are you have heard or read about “harmful algal blooms&#8221; commonly referred to as HABs. We have received many requests for an episode on this topic, so…here it is! What are algae? What is a HAB? Are all algae bad? Learn this and more in this &#8220;Naturally Florida&#8221; podcast [&#8230;]

<a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/files/2022/04/Naturally-Florida-Hand-300x273-1.png"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignright size-full wp-image-8849 lazyload" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" alt="" width="300" height="273" data-src="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/pinellasco/files/2022/04/Naturally-Florida-Hand-300x273-1.png"></a>
If you live in Florida, chances are you have heard or read about “harmful algal blooms&#8221; commonly referred to as HABs. We have received many requests for an episode on this topic, so…here it is! What are algae? What is a HAB? Are all algae bad? Learn this and more in this &#8220;Naturally Florida&#8221; podcast episode.
<h2>New Episode from Naturally Florida</h2>
Naturally Florida (<a href="https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk/natural-resources-and-conservation/Naturally-florida-podcast/">a podcast about Florida’s natural areas and the wild things that live here</a>) recently released a new episode about algae, algae blooms, and harmful algae blooms.
Check it out, below on Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform.
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If you enjoyed this episode about algae, please consider sharing it with a friend.
You can find all the podcast platforms where Naturally Florida is published, submit feedback, or request future topics at <a href="http://www.naturallyfloridapodcast.com">www.naturallyfloridapodcast.com</a>
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<h2 class="Type__TypeElement-sc-goli3j-0 idfSAh" data-slate-node="element" data-encore-id="type">Learn More:</h2>
<ul class="sc-haTkiu dXxWaY" data-slate-node="element">
<li data-slate-node="element">Protecting Florida Together &#8211; <a class="Link-sc-k8gsk-0 lmpnRj sc-emDsmM cfKbVX" href="https://protectingfloridatogether.gov/ " data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true" data-encore-id="textLink">⁠https://protectingfloridatogether.gov/ ⁠</a></li>
<li data-slate-node="element">Marine HABs &#8211; <a class="Link-sc-k8gsk-0 lmpnRj sc-emDsmM cfKbVX" href="https://myfwc.com/redtide/ " data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true" data-encore-id="textLink">⁠https://myfwc.com/redtide/ ⁠</a></li>
<li data-slate-node="element">Freshwater HABs &#8211; <a class="Link-sc-k8gsk-0 lmpnRj sc-emDsmM cfKbVX" href="https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true" data-encore-id="textLink">⁠https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom⁠</a></li>
<li data-slate-node="element">U.S. National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms &#8211; <a class="Link-sc-k8gsk-0 lmpnRj sc-emDsmM cfKbVX" href="https://hab.whoi.edu/ " data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true" data-encore-id="textLink">⁠https://hab.whoi.edu/ ⁠</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 class="Type__TypeElement-sc-goli3j-0 idfSAh" data-slate-node="element" data-encore-id="type">How You Can Help:</h2>
<ul class="sc-haTkiu dXxWaY" data-slate-node="element">
<li data-slate-node="element">Limit your contribution to excess nutrients by fertilizing only when necessary, ensuring you blow grass clippings back on the landscape (not down a storm drain…that’s illegal), plant native plants to help with nutrient uptake, and check that your down spout is directed into your landscape and not down your driveway. </li>
<li data-slate-node="element">Report an algal bloom in a freshwater system &#8211; <a class="Link-sc-k8gsk-0 lmpnRj sc-emDsmM cfKbVX" href="www.reportalgalbloom.com" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true" data-encore-id="textLink">⁠www.reportalgalbloom.com⁠</a></li>
<li data-slate-node="element">Report fish kills at the Fish Kill Hotline 1-800-636-0511</li>
<li data-slate-node="element">Avoid contact with water that has algae blooms </li>
</ul>
<h2 class="Type__TypeElement-sc-goli3j-0 idfSAh" data-slate-node="element" data-encore-id="type">Sources for this Episode:</h2>
<ul class="sc-haTkiu dXxWaY" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-fragment="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">
<li data-slate-node="element">Historical Occurrence of HABs &#8211; <a class="Link-sc-k8gsk-0 lmpnRj sc-emDsmM cfKbVX" href="https://hab.whoi.edu/about/historical-occurrence-of-habs/" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true" data-encore-id="textLink">⁠https://hab.whoi.edu/about/historical-occurrence-of-habs/⁠</a></li>
<li data-slate-node="element">An Introduction to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Florida &#8211; <a class="Link-sc-k8gsk-0 lmpnRj sc-emDsmM cfKbVX" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOi156_jl9c" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true" data-encore-id="textLink">⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOi156_jl9c⁠</a></li>
<li data-slate-node="element">Harmful Algal Blooms &#8211; <a class="Link-sc-k8gsk-0 lmpnRj sc-emDsmM cfKbVX" href="https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/harmful_algal_blooms " data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true" data-encore-id="textLink">⁠https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/harmful_algal_blooms</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center">Learn about other episodes from Naturally Florida by <a href="https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/global/tag/naturally-florida-podcast/">Clicking Here.</a></h2>
University of Florida IFAS Extension is committed to diversity of people, thought and opinion, to inclusiveness and to equal opportunity. 
UF/IFAS Extension is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

If you live in Florida, chances are you have heard or read about “harmful algal blooms” commonly referred to as HABs. We have received many requests for an episode on this topic, so…here it is! What are algae? What is a HAB? Are all algae bad? Learn this and more in this “Naturally Florida” podcast episode.
New Episode from Naturally Florida
Naturally Florida (a podcast about Florida’s natural areas and the wild things that live here) recently released a new episode about algae, algae blooms, and harmful algae blooms.
Check it out, below on Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform.

 
 
 
If you enjoyed this episode about algae, please consider sharing it with a friend.
You can find all the podcast platforms where Naturally Florida is published, submit feedback, or request future topics at www.naturallyfloridapodcast.com
Learn More:
Protecting Florida Together – ⁠https://protectingfloridatogether.gov/ ⁠
Marine HABs – ⁠https://myfwc.com/redtide/ ⁠
Freshwater HABs – ⁠https://floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom⁠
U.S. National Office for Harmful Algal Blooms – ⁠https://hab.whoi.edu/ ⁠
How You Can Help:
Limit your contribution to excess nutrients by fertilizing only when necessary, ensuring you blow grass clippings back on the landscape (not down a storm drain…that’s illegal), plant native plants to help with nutrient uptake, and check that your down spout is directed into your landscape and not down your driveway. 
Report an algal bloom in a freshwater system – ⁠www.reportalgalbloom.com⁠
Report fish kills at the Fish Kill Hotline 1-800-636-0511
Avoid contact with water that has algae blooms 
Sources for this Episode:
Historical Occurrence of HABs – ⁠https://hab.whoi.edu/about/historical-occurrence-of-habs/⁠
An Introduction to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Florida – ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOi156_jl9c⁠
Harmful Algal Blooms – ⁠https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/harmful_algal_blooms
Learn about other episodes from Naturally Florida by Clicking Here.
University of Florida IFAS Extension is committed to diversity of people, thought and opinion, to inclusiveness and to equal opportunity.
UF/IFAS Extension is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

If you live in Florida, chances are you have heard or read about “harmful algal blooms” commonly referred to as HABs. We have received many requests for an episode on this topic, so…here it is! What are algae? What is a HAB? Are all algae bad? Learn this and more in this “Naturally Florida” podcast […]

New Episode from Naturally Florida – “Bloom, there it goes!”

Biological Phenomena

Fenómenos biológicos 

A highly diverse group of mainly aquatic, autotrophic, photosynthesizing organisms ranging from microscopic single-cell forms to multicellular forms, distinguished from vascular plants by the absence of structures such as true roots, stems, leaves and flowers. (Agrovoc)

Algae

Algas

Algal blooms are caused by abnormal increases in the concentration in the water column of certain microscopic algae and algae-like organisms that can cause changes in the color of the water due to the pigments present in the microorganisms. Some of these organisms produce toxins that can be harmful to man, either directly or through the consumption of contaminated seafood. The term "harmful algal bloom" (HAB) is preferred over "red tide" because the blooms are not always red and are not directly associated with tides, and because the term "red tide" applies to many harmless blooms that discolor the water but may exclude many toxic blooms that do not cause water discoloration.
&nbsp;

Las floraciones de algas son causadas por aumentos anormales en la concentraci&oacute;n en la columna de agua de ciertas algas microsc&oacute;picas y organismos similares a las algas que pueden causar cambios en el color del agua debido a los pigmentos presentes en los microorganismos. Algunos de estos organismos producen toxinas que pueden ser da&ntilde;inas para el hombre, ya sea directamente o mediante el consumo de mariscos contaminados. Se prefiere el t&eacute;rmino "floraci&oacute;n de algas nocivas" (HAB) a "marea roja" porque las flores no siempre son rojas y no est&aacute;n directamente asociadas con las mareas, y porque el t&eacute;rmino "marea roja" se aplica a muchas flores inofensivas que decoloran el agua pero puede excluir muchas floraciones t&oacute;xicas que no causan la decoloraci&oacute;n del agua.

Harmful Algal Blooms

Related Links

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How Red Tides Impact Manatees

Natural Climate Variability Can Influence Cyanobacteria Blooms in Florida Lakes and Reservoirs

A Response to Frequently Asked Questions about the 2018 Algae Blooms in Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee, and St. Lucie Estuaries

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Red Tide, Fisheries Modeling and Citizen Science: Casting a Line to Anglers and Gulf of Mexico Stakeholders for Better Data!

New Episode from Naturally Florida – “Bloom, there it goes!”

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