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What’s the latest red tide forecast for your weekend beach plans in Manatee County?

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.

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.

Locally, 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 were reported in Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Lee, and Collier counties, FWC said.

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

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.

Florida’s latest red tide report shows Manatee County beaches on Anna Maria Island can expect very low to medium levels of the algae bloom this weekend. Beachgoers are pictured in this Bradenton Herald file photo.
Florida’s latest red tide report shows Manatee County beaches on Anna Maria Island can expect very low to medium levels of the algae bloom this weekend. Beachgoers are pictured in this Bradenton Herald file photo.