Heading to the Gulf Coast of Florida for a weekend getaway? What to know about red tide

If you’re heading to the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend, take note of the red tide forecast.

USF’s Ocean Circulation Lab has a red tide forecast through Monday. The weekend projections indicate the algae bloom to be at very low, low and medium levels along Manatee County’s shores.

Here’s what else to know:

Red tide forecast

Levels: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s latest red tide report indicates background to medium levels of the algae bloom from two water samples collected in Manatee County.

Samples:

▪ The organism causing red tide, Karenia brevis, was detected in 14 samples along Southwest Florida with Charlotte County seeing the worst of the conditions with background to high levels.

▪ Two medium levels from samples were detected inshore at the Rod and Reel Pier on Anna Maria Island and the Longboat Pass Boat Ramp in Sarasota Bay, FWC’s Friday report said.

▪ Eleven other samples along the coast in Manatee County found K. brevis was not present or at low and background levels.

▪ Pinellas County and Sarasota County waters saw red tide at background to medium levels, FWC’s report said. Hillsborough County had background to low levels offshore.

▪ The highest bloom levels for Southwest Florida were seen at Englewood Beach, Stump Pass Beach and Gasparilla Pass in Charlotte County.

Fish kills

County reports: Fish kills were reported in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties, FWC said.

Respiratory issues: Respiratory irritation was reported in Manatee, Sarasota and Collier counties, the report said.