Red Tide Information
To satisfy the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) guidelines, collecting samples and determining red tide cell counts and brevetoxin toxicity are procedures completed by Division of Aquaculture or Florida Marine Research Institute personnel.
A live count method is used to determine cells per quart or liter. Background levels, the presence of K. brevis throughout the year, are usually 1,000 cells or less per quart of seawater. At these levels, the volume of water examined for live cells may have to be increased. During bloom conditions, greater than 5,000 cells per quart and higher (bloom cell number can exceed 1 million per quart), the original sample may have to be diluted so that accurate counts can be made. Live cells are preferred to enhance the technician's ability to detect them in the sample.
For location reference, please refer to the shellfish area map.
Red Tide Data Legend |
|
| Low | 0-5,000 |
| Medium | 5,000-10,000 |
| High | Greater Than 10,000 |
Present Red Tide Data |
AREA: #58 Gasparilla Sound Aquaculture Lease Areas West of the ICWW |
| Area REOPENED at sunrise on 3/5/04. |
Present Red Tide Data |
AREA: #58 Gasparilla Sound Aquaculture Lease Areas East of the ICWW |
| Area REOPENED at sunrise on 2/19/04. |
Present Red Tide Data |
AREA:#62 Pine Island Sound High Density Aquaculture Lease Area |
| Area REOPENED at sunrise on 2/19/04. |