The red tide bloom that has been plaguing local boaters and fishermen for months seems to be finally winding down, according to the latest status report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Consservation Commission.

A few patches of red tide are still lingering in Pine Island Sound, but the heaviest concentrations researchers found were only moderate. At its worst, the bloom had heavy concentrations of Karenia brevis, the microorganism that causes red tide, scattered from Tampa Bay almost to the Florida Keys.