Red Tide Algae affects areas as north as Port Aransas
Algae affects Port Aransas
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For status updates on red tide, go to tpwd.state.tx.us/hab.
Red tide that has killed fish in South Padre Island and Padre Island National Seashore is moving northward and has been found as far north as Port Aransas.
It isn't yet known if it will reach Calhoun County, a local expert said.
Meridith Byrd, a Victoria-based marine biologist who responds to harmful algae blooms across Texas, said she expects to spend Thursday on Mustang Island assessing another reported fish kill caused by red tide, a natural event in which algal blooms often result in water discoloration, dead fish and allergy-related symptoms in humans and land animals.
Byrd said this particular algae, which is unique to the Gulf of Mexico, is typically seen in high concentrations every three to five years on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Breathing the air in red tide-ridden areas may cause temporary breathing difficulties as well as eye, nose and throat irritation. Beach patrons are advised not to handle dead fish that wash up on the shore.
Comments
What an interesting story. I just can not help myself, everytime I hear about a red tide assoicating it with the Biblical story of the Nile turning to blood.
October 15, 2009 at 2:11 p.m.