For the first time in 16 months- since October 2017- the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that red tide is no longer present in water samples collected in coastal waters anywhere in the state.
Even better news is that according to both the FWC and NOAA, there is no evidence that more of the toxic algae is brewing anywhere offshore.
Samples taken this week from Monroe County to the Panhandle found not even trace amounts of the algae bloom.
Now, scientists say it’s a wait-and-see game to see what happens when red tide usually returns in the fall.