Red tide plagues Manatee coast
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/12138317.htm
Jul. 15, 2005

BRADENTON BEACH - Using a stick to poke and identify a few of the
hundreds of dead fish along Cortez Beach was a bit of a family affair
for two Bradenton Beach residents Thursday afternoon.

Joey Dale brought his father Robert Dale, who hadn't
been to the beach in about a month, to find out what kind
of fish the red tide has been killing.

The Dales were disappointed to find dead catfish, flounder,
grouper and snook - they'd rather be out fishing and catching
them, Joey Dale said. He hasn't gone fishing on his father's
boat in months because of the red tide.

Decaying carcasses lining the shore remind beachgoers of the
cough-causing bloom floating along the Gulf Coast that has yet to subside.

A report to be released today by the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Research Institute will show plenty of the algae
Karenia brevis, the phytoplankton that causes red tide.
When the algae die, they release a toxin that's deadly to sea life.

The report has low levels at the south end of the Sunshine
Skyway Bridge, low to medium at the north end of Anna Maria
Island and medium levels at Longboat Pass. Levels remained medium
to high near Sarasota Bay and the mouth of Tampa Bay reported
high levels, institute spokesman Scott Willis said.

When Hurricane Dennis passed through the Gulf, it dispersed
the red tide, but the weather did not have a major impact
on the bloom.

Robert Dale, a contractor who has lived in Bradenton Beach
since 1981, has never seen a red tide last as long as this one.
The bloom started affecting the coast in January; since then,
Dale said, several of his construction employees have left work
early for the day because they couldn't tolerate the
coughing, sneezing and smell of dead fish.

Another family pair, brothers Erhard and Alban Gega visited
the beach Thursday, an activity they do almost every day.
Even though the tide brings on headaches and coughing,
Erhard Gega doesn't let it stop him from going to the beach.
He's more afraid of shark attacks than red tide effects, he said.

But other beach visitors, like tourists Elaine Roberts and
Sandy Pillow from Michigan, couldn't ignore the red tide
along Cortez Beach.

"We got out of the car, and we could smell it," Roberts said.

They're planning a few more beach days before driving back
to Michigan. But Roberts said she's going to head south to
try to find a beach where she won't cough as much or see as
many dead fish.

===============================================================
What The Hell Is Going On With The Red Tide?
http://www.transworldsurf.com/surf/features/article/0,19929,1080489,00.html
By Justin Cote

I’ve heard it all now.

“It’s a natural occurrence.”

“It’s unharmful to humans.”

“It’s so pretty at night.”

Yeah, right. I’m so sick of perky news-anchors telling me the glowing,
alien-like water is “pretty.” See it once, no need to see it again.

Unharmful to humans?

Says who?

Says public officials who are more wary of losing tourist dollars than
public health. I’ve heard of stomachaches, urinary tract infections,
sore throats, burning eyeballs, and one unfortunate dude who’s been
pissing blood. Along with a co-worker, I’ve been having a stabbing pain
in my guts that just happened to start after accidentally swallowing water
while surfing Oceanside Pier at lunch.

The red tide, which has been around Southern California for nearly
two months, doesn’t seem to be letting up, and many old timers are
claiming it’s the longest they’ve ever seen it hang around.
“How long has it been here now?” asks lifelong surfer Kevin Muir,
53 of Leucadia, CA. “Seems like two months. I’ve never seen a
red tide hang around here for so long. Must be from all the *****
in the water.”

Nobody seems to have an answer as to when the slimy and stinky *****
will go away. Everyday, the red tide comes and goes, at times heavier
than others. One day, it’s O’side looking toxic, the next Encinitas.
Lowers had it during the Nationals and Huntington Beach was red during
the recent USA Surfing Championships.

And it’s not just surfing that’s been suffering--the fishing sucks
right now! I spent an entire day fishing in Carlsbad and didn’t
have one bite. I should have figured that out though--how can a
fish see a lure when the visibility is nil?

Sorry to whine, but this red tide ***** is really frustrating, and
contrary to what our elected officials are telling us--possibly
harmful to humans.

To hear from more people who are ranting about red tide,
go to: www.redtidealert.com

=========================================================

Researchers wary about red tide recurrence this year
7-16-2005
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/07152005/south_of/52856.htm

By Jay Lindsay
Associated Press

BOSTON - The red tide that shut down shellfish beds from Maine
to Buzzards Bay is fading, but scientists are worried
that the toxic tide could return to coastal
waters as soon as this fall.

The red tide algae drops armored cysts on the ocean floor which
act like seeds, bringing the tide back as many as 10 years later.
But the cyst can also germinate in just a few months, said
Don Anderson, a red tide expert from the Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution on Cape Cod.

"One of the things we’re worried about is that we might see a fall
surge of these cells," he said Thursday.

The toxic algae is absorbed by shellfish, making them unsafe to eat.
Officials emphasize that the shellfish on the market are safe,
given the extensive safeguards in place.

About half the 1.2 million acres of shellfish beds that Massachusetts
shut down beginning in mid-May remained closed on Thursday. The tide
has cost shellfishermen about $2.7 million in lost income, though the
number could rise as high as $7 million, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey said.

This year’s red tide has largely moved out to sea and dispersed,
but it takes a while for shellfish that have absorbed the toxic
algae to flush themselves clean.

A repeat of a red tide as toxic and persistent as this year’s is
unlikely, either this fall or in coming years, because of the
unique wind and water conditions that spurred the nearly unprecedented
growth of this year’s bloom, Anderson said.

But history suggests the tide will be back for at least the next
few years, Anderson said. The only outbreak comparable to this
season’s occurred in 1972, and the toxic tide returned to Massachusetts
waters over the next two decades, Anderson said. With the
algae cysts now scattered around the ocean floor, the tide could
resurface several more times.

"What we see in these events are these, like gypsy moths, ...
are cycles where you may have them every year, but every few years
you have a lot," he said.

Shellfisherman John Grundstrom, 50, of Rowley, remained shut out
from clamming Thursday by closures that continued throughout the
North Shore. The beds are expected to open in the next week or so,
but Grundstrom said he expects more red tide problems over the
next few years.

This year, Grundstrom turned to painting, cleaning basements and
odd jobs to make up for the lost income.

"This is really starting to wear on me," he said. "I’d rather be
digging clams than playing golf, or going to a Red Sox game, or
anything, really. I feel like a turtle out of his shell."

The bloom of the red tide algae, called Alexandrium, normally
moves down from Maine waters to Cape Ann, but is can be carried
further south by currents and winds. This year, strong
winds from the Northeast pushed the algae near shore, where it
was fed by nutrients carried by unusually high freshwater runoff
from this year’s heavy snow and rain.

Some shellfish reached levels of toxicity so high that even a
fraction of a meal could have been fatal, Anderson said.

"When we say there are dangerous shellfish, there absolutely were," he said.

Researchers are working to forecast where red tide will appear next,
and how the bloom will move, so shellfishermen and officials can
better absorb the effects. On Wednesday, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration announced a $540,000 grant to Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution for continuing research.

Scientists are also looking into ways to stopping the tide
altogether, a monumental task that’s years from a solution,
Anderson said. Scientists know of viruses and parasites that
attack the red tide algae. They’ve also experimented with mating
the toxic and nontoxic algae to create a harmless "mule" algae.

But introducing new organisms or manipulating the ocean environment
to stop the tide is controversial, and such steps could only be
taken after extensive debate, Anderson said.

"Society’s going to end up deciding for us," Anderson said.

========================================================

"Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD:
behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the
waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall
stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the
river." (Ex. 7:15-18)

Gasparilla Inn:
Always a favorite vacation spot, Boca Grande has had many famous visitors
including John Jacob Astor, J.P. Morgan and Henry DuPont. President Bush,
former President George Bush, Governor Jeb Bush and their families vacation
on the island once or twice a year. Since 1913, Boca Grande's Gasparilla Inn
has been the winter retreat of many weathy visitors. The island hosts several
large condominium developments, but no high-rise buildings to spoil the views.
http://www.bocagrandefish.com/bocagrande.htm

Photo: A wave of red tide approaches Little Gasparilla Island, FL.
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2005/04/24/realestate/nat.sp.jpg

Spring 2005 brought the worst "bloom" of the toxic alga Alexandrium fundyense
since a massive outbreak occurred in 1972 in the New England region.
http://www.whoi.edu/sites/redtideupdate/
Richard Nixon (President 1969-1974)

"And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and
fountains of waters; and they became blood. . . . thou hast
given them blood to drink; for they are worthy." (Rev. 16:4, 6)

Red tide plagues Manatee coast
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/12138317.htm
Jul. 15, 2005

BRADENTON BEACH - Using a stick to poke and identify a few of the
hundreds of dead fish along Cortez Beach was a bit of a family affair
for two Bradenton Beach residents Thursday afternoon.

Joey Dale brought his father Robert Dale, who hadn't
been to the beach in about a month, to find out what kind
of fish the red tide has been killing.

The Dales were disappointed to find dead catfish, flounder,
grouper and snook - they'd rather be out fishing and catching
them, Joey Dale said. He hasn't gone fishing on his father's
boat in months because of the red tide.

Decaying carcasses lining the shore remind beachgoers of the
cough-causing bloom floating along the Gulf Coast that has yet to subside.

A report to be released today by the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Research Institute will show plenty of the algae
Karenia brevis, the phytoplankton that causes red tide.
When the algae die, they release a toxin that's deadly to sea life.

The report has low levels at the south end of the Sunshine
Skyway Bridge, low to medium at the north end of Anna Maria
Island and medium levels at Longboat Pass. Levels remained medium
to high near Sarasota Bay and the mouth of Tampa Bay reported
high levels, institute spokesman Scott Willis said.

When Hurricane Dennis passed through the Gulf, it dispersed
the red tide, but the weather did not have a major impact
on the bloom.

Robert Dale, a contractor who has lived in Bradenton Beach
since 1981, has never seen a red tide last as long as this one.
The bloom started affecting the coast in January; since then,
Dale said, several of his construction employees have left work
early for the day because they couldn't tolerate the
coughing, sneezing and smell of dead fish.

Another family pair, brothers Erhard and Alban Gega visited
the beach Thursday, an activity they do almost every day.
Even though the tide brings on headaches and coughing,
Erhard Gega doesn't let it stop him from going to the beach.
He's more afraid of shark attacks than red tide effects, he said.

But other beach visitors, like tourists Elaine Roberts and
Sandy Pillow from Michigan, couldn't ignore the red tide
along Cortez Beach.

"We got out of the car, and we could smell it," Roberts said.

They're planning a few more beach days before driving back
to Michigan. But Roberts said she's going to head south to
try to find a beach where she won't cough as much or see as
many dead fish.

===============================================================
What The Hell Is Going On With The Red Tide?
http://www.transworldsurf.com/surf/features/article/0,19929,1080489,00.html
By Justin Cote

I’ve heard it all now.

“It’s a natural occurrence.”

“It’s unharmful to humans.”

“It’s so pretty at night.”

Yeah, right. I’m so sick of perky news-anchors telling me the glowing,
alien-like water is “pretty.” See it once, no need to see it again.

Unharmful to humans?

Says who?

Says public officials who are more wary of losing tourist dollars than
public health. I’ve heard of stomachaches, urinary tract infections,
sore throats, burning eyeballs, and one unfortunate dude who’s been
pissing blood. Along with a co-worker, I’ve been having a stabbing pain
in my guts that just happened to start after accidentally swallowing water
while surfing Oceanside Pier at lunch.

The red tide, which has been around Southern California for nearly
two months, doesn’t seem to be letting up, and many old timers are
claiming it’s the longest they’ve ever seen it hang around.
“How long has it been here now?” asks lifelong surfer Kevin Muir,
53 of Leucadia, CA. “Seems like two months. I’ve never seen a
red tide hang around here for so long. Must be from all the *****
in the water.”

Nobody seems to have an answer as to when the slimy and stinky *****
will go away. Everyday, the red tide comes and goes, at times heavier
than others. One day, it’s O’side looking toxic, the next Encinitas.
Lowers had it during the Nationals and Huntington Beach was red during
the recent USA Surfing Championships.

And it’s not just surfing that’s been suffering--the fishing sucks
right now! I spent an entire day fishing in Carlsbad and didn’t
have one bite. I should have figured that out though--how can a
fish see a lure when the visibility is nil?

Sorry to whine, but this red tide ***** is really frustrating, and
contrary to what our elected officials are telling us--possibly
harmful to humans.

To hear from more people who are ranting about red tide,
go to: www.redtidealert.com

=========================================================

Researchers wary about red tide recurrence this year
7-16-2005
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/07152005/south_of/52856.htm

By Jay Lindsay
Associated Press

BOSTON - The red tide that shut down shellfish beds from Maine
to Buzzards Bay is fading, but scientists are worried
that the toxic tide could return to coastal
waters as soon as this fall.

The red tide algae drops armored cysts on the ocean floor which
act like seeds, bringing the tide back as many as 10 years later.
But the cyst can also germinate in just a few months, said
Don Anderson, a red tide expert from the Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution on Cape Cod.

"One of the things we’re worried about is that we might see a fall
surge of these cells," he said Thursday.

The toxic algae is absorbed by shellfish, making them unsafe to eat.
Officials emphasize that the shellfish on the market are safe,
given the extensive safeguards in place.

About half the 1.2 million acres of shellfish beds that Massachusetts
shut down beginning in mid-May remained closed on Thursday. The tide
has cost shellfishermen about $2.7 million in lost income, though the
number could rise as high as $7 million, Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey said.

This year’s red tide has largely moved out to sea and dispersed,
but it takes a while for shellfish that have absorbed the toxic
algae to flush themselves clean.

A repeat of a red tide as toxic and persistent as this year’s is
unlikely, either this fall or in coming years, because of the
unique wind and water conditions that spurred the nearly unprecedented
growth of this year’s bloom, Anderson said.

But history suggests the tide will be back for at least the next
few years, Anderson said. The only outbreak comparable to this
season’s occurred in 1972, and the toxic tide returned to Massachusetts
waters over the next two decades, Anderson said. With the
algae cysts now scattered around the ocean floor, the tide could
resurface several more times.

"What we see in these events are these, like gypsy moths, ...
are cycles where you may have them every year, but every few years
you have a lot," he said.

Shellfisherman John Grundstrom, 50, of Rowley, remained shut out
from clamming Thursday by closures that continued throughout the
North Shore. The beds are expected to open in the next week or so,
but Grundstrom said he expects more red tide problems over the
next few years.

This year, Grundstrom turned to painting, cleaning basements and
odd jobs to make up for the lost income.

"This is really starting to wear on me," he said. "I’d rather be
digging clams than playing golf, or going to a Red Sox game, or
anything, really. I feel like a turtle out of his shell."

The bloom of the red tide algae, called Alexandrium, normally
moves down from Maine waters to Cape Ann, but is can be carried
further south by currents and winds. This year, strong
winds from the Northeast pushed the algae near shore, where it
was fed by nutrients carried by unusually high freshwater runoff
from this year’s heavy snow and rain.

Some shellfish reached levels of toxicity so high that even a
fraction of a meal could have been fatal, Anderson said.

"When we say there are dangerous shellfish, there absolutely were," he said.

Researchers are working to forecast where red tide will appear next,
and how the bloom will move, so shellfishermen and officials can
better absorb the effects. On Wednesday, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration announced a $540,000 grant to Woods
Hole Oceanographic Institution for continuing research.

Scientists are also looking into ways to stopping the tide
altogether, a monumental task that’s years from a solution,
Anderson said. Scientists know of viruses and parasites that
attack the red tide algae. They’ve also experimented with mating
the toxic and nontoxic algae to create a harmless "mule" algae.

But introducing new organisms or manipulating the ocean environment
to stop the tide is controversial, and such steps could only be
taken after extensive debate, Anderson said.

"Society’s going to end up deciding for us," Anderson said.

========================================================

"Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD:
behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the
waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood.
And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall
stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the
river." (Ex. 7:15-18)

Gasparilla Inn:
Always a favorite vacation spot, Boca Grande has had many famous visitors
including John Jacob Astor, J.P. Morgan and Henry DuPont. President Bush,
former President George Bush, Governor Jeb Bush and their families vacation
on the island once or twice a year. Since 1913, Boca Grande's Gasparilla Inn
has been the winter retreat of many weathy visitors. The island hosts several
large condominium developments, but no high-rise buildings to spoil the views.
http://www.bocagrandefish.com/bocagrande.htm

Photo: A wave of red tide approaches Little Gasparilla Island, FL.
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2005/04/24/realestate/nat.sp.jpg

Spring 2005 brought the worst "bloom" of the toxic alga Alexandrium fundyense
since a massive outbreak occurred in 1972 in the New England region.
http://www.whoi.edu/sites/redtideupdate/
Richard Nixon (President 1969-1974)

"And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and
fountains of waters; and they became blood. . . . thou hast
given them blood to drink; for they are worthy." (Rev. 16:4, 6)