Wave of red tide impacts Texas coast, washing fish ashore
Areas of the Texas Gulf Coast are experiencing a red tide algae bloom that is causing dead fish to wash ashore and posing health risks to humans.
The Brazoria County Parks Department released an alert last week that dead fish have been found along stretches of beach at Follett’s Island, Surfside and Quintana Island. They also announced the red tide is tracking to the southwest and is moving along Brazoria County coastlines and into the San Bernard River delta regions.
“As of now all beaches are still open, but beachgoers should be aware of possible dead fish, as well as possible sinus and respiratory symptoms that can be caused by airborne algae spores near Gulf Waters,” according to the Brazoria County Parks Department alert.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, a red tide is when algae begins to bloom in the water. Although experts don’t know the exact combination of factors that causes red tide, some believe high temperatures, lack of wind and rainfall are at the heart of the phenomenon.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said certain human activities are making the blooms more frequent. The agency said chemicals from farming, factories and sewage treatment plants can run off into the ocean and can speed algae growth, leading to more red tides.
It’s called red tide due to the red, rust-colored appearance of the water caused by the blooms of the algae.
Red tide algae produce a toxin that affects the central nervous system in fish, causing them to suffocate and wash ashore. The algae also can cause eye and throat irritation in humans, but the severity of the algae’s health risks can fluctuate throughout the day.
Red tides can occur in isolated areas that do not blanket every stretch of a beach, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. Texas also has a red tide status tracker so beachgoers can determine which beaches are currently experiencing the phenomenon.
Oysters, clams and mussels can accumulate red tide toxins in their tissues, and people who eat them may become seriously ill with neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.