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Red Tide-Related Hotlines and Information Sources

The FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is a national leader in red tide research and response. FWRI processes dozens of water samples every week and reports our findings to the public. FWC remains in constant contact with local governments, health officials, partner agencies and the public regarding this event.

Current Status
View the statewide Red Tide Current Status.

Latest Red Tide Status Report Available by Phone
Call (866) 300-9399 at any time from anywhere in Florida toll-free to hear a recording about red tide conditions throughout the state. Callers outside of Florida can dial (727) 502-4952. Standard calling charges apply.

Fish and Wildlife Hotlines and Reporting Contacts

FWRI Fish Kill Hotline

The FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) maintains this hotline through a federally funded project to survey fish-related diseases and mortalities.

  • Call 800-636-0511 (toll-free) to report fish kills, diseased fish, or fish with other abnormalities. Leave a detailed report and contact information on the recorded message. A biologist will contact the caller, usually the following workday, if more information is needed.

Please do not call the FWRI Fish Kill Hotline to request dead fish cleanup; local municipalities are responsible for dead fish cleanup, usually only on public beaches.

FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-3922 (toll-free)
If you find a dead, sick, or injured manatee or sea turtle, or you would like to report a wildlife law violation, please call FWC's 24-hour Wildlife Alert Number.

Hotlines and Reporting Sites for Effects on Humans

Florida Poison Information Center: 800-222-1222 (toll-free)
If you would like to report health issues related to exposure to red tide, please call the Florida Poison Information Center at 800-222-1222. Additional information on the health effects of Florida red tide can be found on the Florida Department of Health website.

If you would like to speak with someone in your local health department, please use the link below for contact information.

County Health Departments

Information Sources

FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute and Mote Marine Laboratory work together to monitor Karenia brevis. This cooperative effort is designed to help mitigate the adverse impacts of red tide. This joint research program that includes red tide monitoring, research and public outreach and education has resulted in better tools and ongoing monitoring for red tides along the Gulf Coast.

Mote Marine Laboratory's Beach Conditions Report provides up-to-date information about the effects of red tide on Florida Gulf Coast beaches, including reports of dead fish, respiratory irritation among beachgoers, water color, and wind direction. The site also provides information on red drift algae and rip currents.

At the University of South Florida (USF) College of Marine Science, the Center for Prediction of Red Tides uses forecast models to track and predict harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the southeastern United States and reports current conditions. The center is a cooperative venture with the FWC.

The Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides, maintained by USF's Dr. Robert Weisberg, provides a HAB tracking tool that displays modeled bloom trajectories on the west coast of Florida, forecasted over the upcoming 4 days. This center partners with the FWC.

The Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System, maintained by USF's Dr. Robert Weisberg, provides information regarding real-time surface meteorology, currents, and sea level from an array of buoys and coastal stations.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) uses satellite imagery, field observations, and buoy data to assess harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. A report of conditions and additional information appears on the Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Blooms Forecast Web site.

Documents about red tide and other programs are available for download.

Shellfish Harvesting Closures

FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute's Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) group closely monitors the status of K. brevis on Florida's coasts, providing technical support to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), the agency that regulates approved shellfish harvesting areas.

To protect public health, FDACS can order closures of shellfish harvest areas (limited in this context to oysters, clams, and mussels). Before harvesting in Florida waters, determine open or closed status by visiting the Department's Division of Aquaculture website or calling a field office.

Red Tide Volunteer Monitoring Program

In 2000, FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute established what is now known as the Red Tide Volunteer Monitoring Program, which is a program for citizens to help collect water samples from routine collection points and sites reported for suspected harmful algal blooms (HABs). The timely sampling by volunteers allows researchers to provide an early warning of offshore algal blooms and investigate reported events as they occur. The Program needs volunteers to collect samples from all coastal Florida counties. To view more information visit, Red Tide Volunteer Monitoring Program or use the Volunteer SignUp Form.

Previous Regional Status Reports and Maps

December 29, 2021
Southwest Coast report and map
Northwest Coast report and map
East Coast report and map
Google Earth map

December 22, 2021
Southwest Coast report and map
Northwest Coast report and map
East Coast report and map
Google Earth map

December 17, 2021
Southwest Coast report and map
Northwest Coast report and map
East Coast report and map
Google Earth map

December 10, 2021
Southwest Coast report and map
Northwest Coast report and map
East Coast report and map
Google Earth map

Additional archived status maps can be found on Flickr