b"HAB INFOGRAPHICFLORIDA'SOCT2017 FEB2019 BLUESRED TIDES caught a lot of attention in 2018, but they are nothing new to Florida where blooms have been documented as far back as 1844. As nutrient runoff and climate change continue on their current course,we can expect to see an increase in the prevalence and intensity of red tide blooms.BLOOMS ON BOTH COASTSWhile most of the Florida red tides form on the GULF COAST, the 2018 red tide was the 8th time red tides have been reported on the EAST COAST. This is due to a LOOP CURRENT thatLOOPtravels up into the GULF OF MEXICO and outCURRENTthrough the STRAITS OF FLORIDA.1OCT2017 FEB2019This bloom started in OCTOBER 2017K. brevis Concentrations2(cells/L) October 1-31, 2018 and continued through FEBRUARY 2019,LOW (>10,000-100,000)making it the 5th longest recordedMEDIUM (>100,000-1,000,000)red tide.HIGH (>1,000,000)STRAITSOF FLORIDALONGEST DOCUMENTED RED TIDES 1946-1947 11 monthsBased on continual observations of over100,000 cells/L of Karenia brevis.1 1959-1960 12 monthsOCT2017 FEB 2017-2019 16 months2019 2004-2006 17 months1953-1955 18 months2002-2004 21 months1994-1997 30 months26 MISSION: WATER"