Historical Florida HAB Events
This section presents information and articles about some of the
algal bloom events and red tides that occurred in Florida over the
past several years.
Discolored water and odors reported in April and May of 2009 for east Florida coastal waters (Flagler, Volusia and Brevard counties) are due to a large bloom of the non-toxic diatom
Thalassiosira spp.
Fish kills associated with a bloom of the marine microalgae Pyrodinium bahamense occurred in Old Tampa Bay in late July 2008.
In September of 2007 through January of 2008, a Karenia
brevis bloom occurred on the northeast coast of Florida, but
it was not the first time.
Based on results of analyses conducted since mid-January 2006,
FWC/FWRI researchers have attributed the aquatic animal mortalities
in Choctawhatchee Bay to post-bloom brevetoxin exposure.
During the first week of August 2005, FWRI received reports of
mass mortalities of fish and other animals inhabiting reefs. The
reports extend from New Port Richey to Sarasota. FWRI is
investigating these reports.
In early 2002, a dark water event, also called "black water" by
the media, occurred off the coast of southwest Florida. Samples of
the water, which was described as dark brown-black-green, showed a
dominance of large, centric diatoms.
A dolphin mortality event was initially reported from St. Joseph
Bay in northwest Florida in March 2004. By the end of April,
dolphin mortalities totaled 107. Dolphin tissues contained elevated
brevetoxin levels and trace amounts of domoic acid.
In May and June of 2004, an area of discolored water was reported off the coast of southwest Florida. Water samples showed high concentrations of Trichodesmium sp., a marine cyanobacterium found worldwide.
Persons with Disabilities