Toxic Algal Bloom

We are seeing a double algal bloom around Orcas Island this week. The visible reddish-brown stuff is mostly Noctiluca which isn't known to be toxic but we are also seeing a lot of Heterosigma mixed in with it.

Heterosigma can kill fish especially captive fish which can not get away from it.

Noctiluca sometimes generates bioluminescence so if you go out on a dark night and disturb it you may see a ghostly glow.

Dr. Vera Trainer from the Marine Biotoxin Group, Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle has come out to the islands to monitor the bloom.