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Red tide detected in Corpus Christi Bay area -- bays closed
Texas Parks and WildlifeRed tide (Karenia brevis) was detected late last week in the waters off Port Aransas, Texas. Effective Sunday, December 16, at 12:01 am, the Texas Department of Health (TDH) closed the approved shellfish areas of Aransas and Corpus Christi Bays to the taking of molluscan shellfish. Because of the low salinity in area bays at this time, an extensive red tide bloom is not expected. A few days before this, the Department had received an informal report of a suspected red tide occurring at a coral reef off the coast of Veracruz, Mexico. According to that report, an estimated 30 tons of reef fish were killed.
The following is the text of the update to TPWD's web page and toll-free hotline (800-792-1112):
This is the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department red tide update for Wednesday, December 19. Red tide was detected late last week in Aransas Pass near Port Aransas. On Sunday, December 16, the Texas Department of Health closed Aransas and Corpus Christi Bays to shellfish harvest. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff continue to monitor for red tide along the coast and in the bays. Three common signs of a red tide bloom are discolored water, dead fish, and breathing difficulty. To report sightings of red tide during normal business hours, call your local TPW office or the Kills and Spills Team at (512) 912-7055. To report red tide over the weekend, page Dave Buzan at (800) 299-4099, personal identification number 2366. Although some travelers may be concerned with how the red tide may affect their vacation plans, there are miles of clean beaches to enjoy on the Texas coast. When making travel plans, heed the advice of the Texas Department of Health: get the current facts and draw your own conclusions. Many people experience respiratory, nose, throat, and eye irritation when they are near areas affected by red tide. For more information about red tide and the latest updates, visit the TPW Web site (www.tpwd.state.tx.us) and look for the red tide link, or call the TPW hotline at (800) 792-1112, select fishing, then red tide.