How to Spot Red Tide

Red tide, or Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB), blooms when phytoplankton rapidly grow in the water. The phytoplankton grow and multiply until the concentration looks like a rust color floating in and on the water. Sometimes the millions of phytoplankton release toxins that are harmful to sea life and humans. Here are a few ways to spot the red tide near you.

Instructions

1

Look for the right color. The red tide is usually a brownish color. It looks like you released a dropper full of brown food coloring in the water. It gently penetrates the whole area but doesn't completely mix together unless it is stirred.

2

Watch for warning signs posted on or near the beach.

3

Notice areas of warm waters that have been that way for prolonged periods of time. California's red tide occurs in the late summer to early fall months when the surface water has warmed to unusually high temperatures. The warmth creates a good environment for the phytoplankton to multiply and grow.

4

Pay attention to brownish yellow foam floating on the surface of the ocean water. The phytoplankton reside near warm surface water. This is where sea foam is also found so it is an ideal location for the bloom.

5

Watch for dead fish. If you see dead fish scattered throughout the beach, this can be a sign of a lot of things of which HAB may be one.

6

Spot the tide through the symptoms of your body. Hopefully you will spot the warning signs before this, but if you were swimming and you feel tingling in your fingers or mouth, diarrhea, or have hot and cold flashes, this may be a sign that red tide toxins have entered your body. See your doctor immediately.