It started in the Jacksonville area, and spread from there. The red tide organism, Karenia brevis, had consistently showed up in samples along the Northeast coast in the last couple weeks. Bays of fish are dead, and people experienced negative reactions to the red tide. (See www.floridasportsman.com/casts/071003)

Low concentrations of K. brevis remain present alongshore Nassau and Duval counties, with the highest concentrations along the coasts of St. Johns and Flagler counties.

But other counties are now reporting positive tests for red tide in their waters. The organism has moved down the coast, and found its way to the northwest side of the state.

Northwest Florida’s Bay County and St. Andrews Bay now test positive for red tide. High concentrations were detected near Pensacola Beach, Henderson Beach in Okaloosa County and Dune Allen Beach in Walton County—fish kills were reported too. Offshore samples collected south of Fort Pickens contained K. brevis at low concentrations. Reports of fish kills and respiratory irritation have been received by the FWC from St. Joseph Bay in Gulf County, as well.

On the Central East coast of Florida, red tide and fish kills were identified in Volusia County near Ponce Inlet. Much of the rest of the area has tested negative, except for low concentrations in the southern end of Mosquito Lagoon. Southwest Florida, a more common area for red tide in the past, has been spared so far.