Red tide devastates Texas oyster industry, coastline

A "red tide" of microscopic bacteria in the Gulf of Mexico, the largest in 14 years, has killed fish and shut down the oyster industry in Texas

October 13, 2000
Web posted at: 2:58 PM EDT (1858 GMT)

From Charles Zewe
CNN Correspondent

SURFSIDE BEACH, Texas (CNN) -- The oyster industry in Texas has been shut down because of what may be the largest concentration of a deadly algae called red tide in 14 years.

"Without our Thanksgiving and Christmas sales, we'll be totally devastated," said oyster dealer Lisa Halili.

The red tide is so big that it shows up in satellite photos as a swath of crimson spanning 300 miles of Texas coastline. It's saturated oyster beds, killed millions of fish, fouled beaches and made some people sick. Among the species that have washed ashore on Texas beaches for nearly four months are red fish, menhaden, speckled trout, croaker and dozens of others.

VIDEO CNN's Charles Zewe tracks the effects of the 300-mile-long fish kill along the western Gulf Coast Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     MESSAGE BOARD Share your views on environmental issues     ALSO More info on red tide from the Texas Parks and Wildlife website

"This one's worse because when it comes to certain areas, it will stay there for days and continues killing fish," said Winston Denton, marine biologist.

A microscopic algae, gymnodinium breve, is the culprit. The algae produces a toxin that paralyzes fish so they can't breathe. It's called "red tide" because it turns seawater reddish-brown.

Scientists say Texas' extended drought and intense summertime heat deprived coastal bays of fresh water, and that encouraged the growth of red tide.

"Normally, our near-shore coastal waters are diluted with fresh water coming from the bays," Denton said. "We don't really have that right now, so the near-shore waters are as salty as offshore sea water."

And that allows red tide algae to bloom. While marine life has been hardest hit, beach goers find themselves plagued with coughing and throat and sinus irritation. Eating red tide-contaminated fish or shellfish can cause numbness, dizziness, nausea and in extreme cases, respiratory arrest and death.

The red tide covers 300 miles of Texas coastline and is visible in satellite photos

After red tide algae saturated oyster beds, oyster fishing in Galveston Bay, near Houston, was shut down. Boats are tied up and shucking houses are silent as the busy holiday season nears.

To keep customers, employees and her business, Halili sent 50 boats that supply her with oysters to neighboring Louisiana waters unaffected by the tide.

Scientists say fall cold fronts could bring relief because rain reduces salinity levels, killing the algae. But health officials caution it may be weeks, perhaps months, before Texas oysters are safe to eat.

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