COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. -- Southwest Florida beaches have been largely red tide-free so far this winter, but there are some signs of the toxic algal bloom just off the coast.
According to Florida Fish and Wildlife's daily red tide map, recent tests found high concentrations of Karenia brevis cells in the water 5.7 miles off the coast of Collier County and also 20 miles offshore.
All other test sites along the shoreline from Marco Island up through Charlotte County found no red tide present. However, further north near Venice, high concentrations were detected on the beaches around the Venice Pier.
There are still no traces of red tide along the east coast of Florida and along panhandle beaches.
