Disclaimer: These postings were sent to us from a variety of media sources over the Internet. The content has not been reviewed for scientific accuracy or edited in any manner.

Red tide update, November 11, 2000
Texas Parks and Wildlife

From: David Buzan
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2000 12:49 PM
To: Becky Southard
Subject: red tide update for Thursday, November 11, 2000

Reports from TPWD and Texas Department of Health scientists from the Louisiana border to the border with Mexico on Wednesday, November 8, are that red tide is not being reported anywhere along the Texas coast. No one is receiving reports of eye or throat irritation on any beaches and no one is observing dead or dying fish. Some sampling is showing that the algae or microscopic plant that causes red tide may still be present in low concentrations in some areas. The low concentrations observed now are too low to cause respiratory irritation, harm fish, or color the water.

Three common signs of a red tide bloom are discolored water, dead fish, and breathing difficulty. To report sightings of red tide during normal business hours, call your local TPWD office or the Kills and Spills Team at (512) 912-7055. For more information about red tide and the latest updates, visit the TPWD web site at www.tpwd.state.tx.us and click on the red tide symbol, or call the TPWD hotline at (800) 792-1112, press "4" for fishing, then press "9" for red tide.

Cindy Contreras
Water Quality Coordinator
Resource Protection Division
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744