COLLIER COUNTY RED TIDE UPDATE
Date: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 Provided by: Collier County Pollution
Control & Prevention Department
Below are the most recent red tide sampling results. NOAA satellite imagery indicates patches of elevated chlorophyll along the southwest Florida coastline due to the presence of non-harmful algae. There have not been any reports of red tide, dead fish or respiratory irritation. No red tide impacts are expected through the weekend.
We have received reports of Trichodesmium in the Clam Pass area and sample results show its presence at Naples Pier and South Marco Beach as well. Trichodesmium is a non-toxic, blue-green algae and does not pose any human health concerns. Fish kills resulting from low oxygen levels are only probable if the bloom is washed into back bay areas that do not flush well with tide changes. Please visit the Florida Fish & Wildlife Research Institutes website for more information about Trichodesmium (http://research.myfwc.com/features/view_article.asp?id=22896). If you have any questions, please call the Collier County Pollution Control Department at (239) 732-2502.
The next sampling event will be Monday July 30, 2007
Sample Date |
Location |
*Results |
Sampling Agency |
7/23/07 |
Barefoot Beach |
Not present |
Collier Co. Environmental Health |
7/23/07 |
Clam Pass (Seagate Beach) |
Not present |
Collier Co. Environmental Health |
7/23/07 |
Naples Pier |
Not present |
Collier Co. Environmental Health |
7/23/07 |
South Marco Beach |
Not present |
Collier Co. Environmental Health |
Key for Results: |
*Karenia brevis cells/liter |
Possible Effects |
PRESENT |
normal levels of 1000 cells or less |
None |
VERY LOWa |
> 1000 to <5000 |
Possible respiratory irritation |
VERY LOWb |
5,000 to 10,000 |
Possible respiratory irritation and shellfish harvesting closures |
LOWa |
> 10,000 to < 50,000 |
Respiratory irritation but chlorophyll levels too low to be detected by satellites |
LOWb |
50,000 to < 100,000 |
Respiratory irritation, maybe fish kills, and bloom chlorophyll probably detected by satellites |
MEDIUM |
100,000 to < 1,000,000 |
Respiratory irritation and probable fish kills |
HIGH |
> 1,000,000 |
As above plus discoloration |
Table provided by FWRI
To report dead fish or red tide symptoms, please call the Collier County Pollution Control and Prevention Dept. at (239) 732-2502. To speak to a health professional anytime, toll free, call the Florida Red Tide Health Hotline at 1-888-232-8635. For more information on red tide outbreaks in other areas of Florida, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) at (727) 896-8626 or visit their web site at http://floridamarine.org/.
Collier County Red Tide Updates are also available on the Red Tide Hotline at (239) 732-2591. This is an automated recording with the most recent red tide information for Collier County available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.