In response to devastating red tide episodes in 2005, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) initiated a toll-free Red Tide Hotline (866-300-9399, myfwc.com) to keep concerned constituents aware of bloom locations and intensities.

Reef fish, seatrout and many kind of bottom-dwelling organisms are still recovering in portions of Florida’s Gulf Coast from 2005’s extended, extensive red tide algae (Karenia brevis) bloom. Unfortunately, in recent days the hotline has been reporting outbreaks and fish kills from Boca Grande Pass in Lee County to Seagate in Collier County. Highest concentrations were reported in southern Pine Island Sound and San Carlos Bay.

FWRI recently commissioned statisticians from the University of Florida to conduct an independent study to evaluate whether red tides are becoming more frequent, more intense and predictable.