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Date: October 15, 2009
Contact: Juan Rodriguez, 949-8068
Contact: Dimitra Guerrero, 949-8173 X229

Superintendent Joe Escoto announced today, that Red Tide has been reported at the National Seashore and asks park visitors to be cautious, especially children and visitors with breathing problems, as Red Tide can irritate the respiratory system, eyes and throat. Also, thousands of dead fish have washed ashore due to the Red Tide.

 

Red tide is a naturally occurring, higher-than-usual concentration of the microscopic algae Karenia brevis. The algae produce a toxin that affects the central nervous system of fish, so that they are paralyzed and cannot breathe. As a result, Red Tide blooms often result in dead fish washing up on the beach. When Red Tide algae reproduce in dense concentrations, or "blooms," they are sometimes visible as discolored patches of ocean water, often reddish in color. High concentrations of microscopic algae in the rough surf can cause the irritants to become suspended in the salt spray when the waves break. Red Tide affects people, and especiallypets, which are near the seashore.

 

Please call Malaquite Visitor Centerat (361) 949-8068 for more information before visiting.