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Minor red tide bloom found in Corpus Christi Bay

CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER-TIMES

Thursday, September 21, 2000

Wildlife officials find band of algae offshore, but so far no dead fish have been seen in area waters

By Chris Neely Caller-Times

Red tide is blooming in Corpus Christi Bay, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission said Wednesday.

But the concentrations found were low and pose no threat, said Lower Conservation Program leader Smiley Nava.

Nava said a distinct band of the microscopic algae was visible offshore Wednesday, he said.

"When we were driving to put our boat in at the T-head, we saw some discoloration that would have been indicative of red tide," Nava said. "When we put our boat in and got to that area, it had dissipated. We picked up a sample anyway and, sure enough, we found some organisms."

Red tide is formed by Gymnodinium breve algae, which produces enzymes that paralyze fish and can be a mild respiratory irritant if carried on the breeze. Nothing can be done to prevent red tide, Nava said, and little is known about its causes.

"We're not exactly sure what sets it off, but apparently it is temperature, nutrients and other conditions," Nava said. "We really can't predict where it occurs, so it's kind of a hit-and-miss thing.

Nava said there is no way to predict how severe the bloom will become, but it is benign for the time being. "We're not seeing any dead fish," Nava said.

"Apparently it's not a significant bloom at this time, nothing similar to upper coast, where you have miles of bloom, several miles wide and long."

Earlier this month the Texas Department of Health and Texas Parks and Wildlife identified high concentrations of red tide in the Galveston Bay system near Texas City, East Bay, and Dickinson Bay. Red tide is also present in West Matagorda and East Matagorda bays.

Staff writer Chris Neely can be reached at 886-3794 or by e-mail at neelyc@caller.com

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