Red tide detected on Longboat Key

Red tide was detected last week on both the Sarasota and Manatee portions of Longboat Key.

On Dec. 14, the Sarasota County Health Department detected red tide alongshore the Sarasota County portion of Longboat Pass in concentrations of between 1,000 and 5,000 Karenia brevis cells per liter, which could cause respiratory irritation.

The next day, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services detected red tide along the Manatee County side of Longboat Key, and the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute detect red tide in Sarasota Bay. Both agencies reported concentrations of less than 1,000 Karenia brevis cells per liter. At these concentrations, red tide is generally not harmful.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].