Red Tide is usually considered a problem for people near affected areas. Red Tide Rangers conducted a cell count this week determining there is no Red Tide in South Padre Island anymore. The increase in Karenia Brevis Algae, otherwise known as Red Tide is now gone. This week the Red Tide Rangers confirm there is 0 cells of this algae per milliliter. This recent bloom lasted a few months.
Tony Reisinger from Sea Grant Texas says, “[last year’s bloom] took the same course it did this year. It started probably in Mexico, in the bay of Campeche and moved north and was blown into South Texas. At the peak of this Red Tide there was approximately 50,000 cells per milliliter. Last year that same statistic was close to 100,000. I’m told however lower numbers don’t automatically translate to a ‘better’ bloom. The aerosol can affect visitor most when other factors such as low winds are present. “There is only theories on why the frequency of Red Tide has increased over the past years. we’ve probably had 15 blooms since 1986 here in south Texas,” says Reisinger.
In Cameron County Beach Access 6, the site where just a few weeks ago dead fish washed up on the shoreline and Air quality made it difficult to breathe, is different today. The air quality seems good and there are no dead fish on the beaches. Red Tide has now moved up to Corpus Christi. This is due to natural current patterns. However, due to the unpredictable nature of red tide it could make a comeback within the same year, though we have not seen that happen in recent times.
City of South Padre Island Media Relations Manager says, “Things are looking great. No more issues, no more fish kills, so we encourage everyone to come visit us. Especially now with the Halloween weekend coming up.” Overall this Red Tide bloom was better in terms of having lower respiratory problem reports and lower cell counts.
By Alfredo Cuadros
