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Manatees and Recent Red Tide

March 7, 2000

Red tide in higher than normal concentrations has been reported alongshore of south western Florida since December 1999. The reported bloom boundary was extended to the Marco Island area on 04 JAN 00 after cell counts and reports of fish kills and respiratory irritation from that area were received by FMRI.

Since 04 JAN 00, eight manatee carcasses have been recovered from the Marco Island area (southern Rookery Bay to Cape Romano). Six of these carcasses have been recovered since 20 FEB 00. Preliminary findings; one death is listed as watercraft, two are listed as undetermined/too decomposed, and five are listed as suspect for red tide based on gross findings. Immunoperoxidase analyses for localization of brevetoxin in tissues will be performed on fixed tissues from the five suspect cases. Additional samples were collected and frozen for further testing.

On Sunday 05 MAR 00, a moribund manatee was rescued from the Port Of The Islands marina, south of Marco Island, showing signs of neurological impairment consistent with brevetoxicosis. The animal was transported to Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.

An aerial survey designed to characterize distribution and abundance of manatees in the affected area is being planned. FMRI's manatee section is on internal alert.

Ongoing water sampling is coordinated and reported by FMRI's Harmful Algal Blooms section. Visit www.fmri.usf.edu/redtide.htm for more information.

Thomas D. Pitchford
Florida Marine Research Institute
Marine Mammal Pathobiology Lab
3700 54th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
Tel. 727-893-2904
Fax. 727-893-2907
E-mail: pitchftd@eckerd.edu