Medium levels of red tide reported off Manatee, Sarasota

Medium to high levels of red tide were detected Wednesday off the coast of Manatee and Sarasota, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Frank McCloy, spokesman for the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, said samples collected Monday off Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key contained low levels of Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism. There were medium levels at Longboat Pass.

"Blooms are very patchy and discrete samples collected from shore are truly just a snapshot in time that can change quickly," McCloy said.

A map of the area showed coastal Manatee and Saraso

ta had medium to high levels of red tide in a Wednesday report.

"Respiratory irritation continues to be reported in several bloom areas of Southwest Florida from Sarasota south to Englewood," according to the report. "Fish kills have also been reported along Siesta Key Beach, Longboat Key and Captiva Island."

Exact weekend forecasts are not yet available, but surface and bottom waters are predicted to move south over the weekend. Pinellas County reported very low to medium concentrations of red tide.

"You will get a better forecast on Friday when the red tide status report is updated," McCloy said.

McCloy said red tide levels are not unusual for this area in the winter and even spring.

"In four of the last 10 years (since 2007) we've had medium or higher levels of K. brevis lasting into February and March," McCloy said.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 11:12 PM with the headline "Medium levels of red tide reported off Manatee, Sarasota ."