Red Tide Update: Background Levels Detected in Southwest Florida

Bradenton, Florida, USA - As of June 20, 2025, the situation regarding red tide in Florida has shown some promising trends, especially for Southwest Florida. Recent reports indicate that red tide was detected only at background concentrations in a sample taken from the Lee County area over the past week. Luckily, this seems to signal that harmful effects on local wildlife and the environment have remained minimal, with no fish kills reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) hotline.

Chlorophyll satellite imagery from the University of South Florida (USF) and NOAA NCCOS continues to assist in tracking both nearshore and offshore conditions. Thankfully, the FWC assures there have been no reported cases of respiratory irritation linked to the red tide phenomenon in Florida for the past week either. This lack of significant impact offers some relief to residents and visitors who frequent our beautiful coastlines.

Monitoring the Situation

The next forecast predicts movement patterns for surface and subsurface waters, with surface waters expected to shift north while subsurface waters move southeast. The FWC suggests that updates will continue to roll in, with the next status report scheduled for June 27, and it is hoped that residents will continue to find peace of mind.

For those interested in tracking red tide conditions, FWC maintains a comprehensive habitat monitoring database that documents harmful algal blooms since 1953. This has become one of the longest-running records of red tide data, encompassing over 200,000 entries from a multitude of agencies. The records not only include location coordinates and cell counts for the notorious Karenia brevis species but also various water quality statistics like temperature and salinity.

Relying on Historical Data

It’s interesting to note that since the mid-1990s, sampling for red tide has ramped up significantly. In fact, FWC now collects three times as many samples compared to earlier years. However, scientists admit that it’s tricky to discern if red tides have been happening more frequently or with greater severity over the past six decades. This ongoing collection helps identify areas affected by red tides and their movement patterns, both offshore and along the coast.

On a community level, members of the public can report any concerning observations through the FWC’s toll-free fish kill hotline at 800-636-0511. Whether it’s unusual fish behaviors or dead marine life, reporting such incidents is crucial for tracking the impact of red tides on local ecosystems.

The red tide information available via the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute empowers both residents and professionals to keep a close eye on our waters. For more data on algal blooms and to ensure we’re all engaged in protecting our home, be sure to check out the Protecting Florida Together website.

Florida’s coast may not be entirely free from red tide threats, but the current data provides a glimmer of hope as we move into the summer months. With ongoing monitoring and a proactive community, we can keep our waters vibrant and healthy.