Red tide in South Padre Island area

(Excerpt from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's web page)

UPDATE -- October 5, 1999

A red tide aerial overflight was conducted this morning between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. The area covered included the Gulf beach from the Pt. Mansfield Jetties south to the Rio Grande River as well as the Brownsville Ship Channel, South Bay, Brazos Santiago Pass area and lower Laguna Madre Bay waters extending two miles north of the causeway. We also surveyed the boat channels in the Pt Isabel area. Sea condition were less than ideal with a strong NE wind, rough seas and water up to the dune line along the Gulf beaches. Observers included Dave Buzan, Oscar Lopez and Ken Rice. No red tide or dead fish were observed along the Gulf beach, the surf zone or nearshore Gulf. Small patches of red tide were however observed in several finger canals in the Pt Isabel area. No dead fish were seen associated with the red tide observed. Specific areas are as follows: Outdoor Resort channels on Long Island - Three small pockets were observed along the channels that run perpendicular to the ICWW on the SE ends. Pt Isabel finger channel west of White Sands Marina that runs parallel to Highway 100 behind storage units that front the highway. One concentration. Dead end boat channel in Pt Isabel - SW of Southpoint Marina at the end of the road. One small pocket. Brownsville Ship Channel - There appeared to be a very light concentration along the SE edge of the channel about 1/4 mile W of the mouth of South Bay.

UPDATE -- October 4, 1999

Texas Parks and Wildlife Coastal Fisheries biologists investigated a report of red tide along the southern tip of Texas today, Monday, October 4. Biologists found fish which had died at least a day earlier along Boca Chica beach and the Gulf beach on South Padre Island for only about one mile north of the Queen Isabella Causeway. Discolored water, possibly indicative of the presence of red tide, was observed offshore of the Boca Chica Beach. The fish killed were almost entirely nongame fish like Gulf menhaden and mullet. The number of fish killed is about 394,000. The cold front which moved through the area is believed to have blown any red tide which might exist away from the shore. The current wind conditions are expected to persist through tomorrow. TPWD biologists will conduct a flyover of the area tomorrow if weather permits. Current conditions are not expected to impact beach recreation and fishing opportunities in the area. For more information call Dave Buzan of the Kills and Spills team at 512/912-7013.