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Additional bloom information:
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November 23, 2015
Reports of red tide and/or fish kills continue to dissipate in the Gulf of Mexico. Discolored water associated with red tide was reported in Corpus Christi Bay but there were no reports of aerosols or dead fish. No other reports of red tide or dead fish have been received along the coast. As of November 4, the TPWD partner organization, the Red Tide Rangers, reported no red tide cells in water samples from South Padre Island beaches.
November 16, 2015
An overflight was conducted by TPWD staff on November 13. The flight survey included the Gulf of Mexico from Cedar Bayou south to Boca Chica. Bay systems surveyed include Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, and the Upper and Lower Laguna Madre.
During the aerial survey, red tide was observed from the northern boundary of Padre Island National Seashore, south to Boca Chica Beach. The bloom from the northern boundary was very patchy and increased to heavy streaking south at the 30 mile marker. A continuous bloom was observed from the 30 mile marker south to Mansfield Pass. Mansfield Pass south to South Padre Island was also patchy and the greatest densities were seen near the city of South Padre Island in Brazos Santiago Pass. A patchy bloom was also observed around Boca Chica Beach.
Red tide blooms were observed in Corpus Christi Bay and the Lower Laguna Madre. In Corpus Christi Bay, a continuous bloom was observed offshore of Indian Point, North Beach and Cole Park. Another continuous bloom was observed just west of the confluence between La Quinta Channel and Corpus Christi Channel. Currently, the only reported fish kills (or reports of distressed fish) are in Espiritu Santo Bay and Corpus Christi Bay.
Streaking was observed just south of Pelican Island and offshore of Laguna Heights in the Lower Laguna Madre.
November 6, 2015
Matagorda Bay area: Water samples collected by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) identified high concentrations of red tide cells near the Port O’Connor jetties. Distressed filter feeding fish were also reported near the jetties on the Matagorda Peninsula and Fisherman’s Cut near Port O’Conner.
Aransas Bay area: The TAMU Image Flow Cytobot at the UTMSI Pier in Port Aransas continues to report very low to low cell concentrations of red tide.
San Antonio Bay area: Water samples collected by TDSHS in San Antonio Bay indicate high concentrations of red tide offshore of Twin Lakes and moderate cell concentrations near south pass.
Corpus Christi Bay area: Streaking continues to be observed along the southern section of Corpus Christi Bay along the Corpus Christi bay front. Water samples by TDSHS continue to indicate high concentrations along the south eastern side of Corpus Christ Bay between the mouth of Oso Bay and Shamrock Island. Water samples collected along the Corpus Christi Channel near Port Aransas indicate only moderate to low cell concentrations of red tide. Also, a fish kill was observed in southeastern section of Corpus Christi Bay in an area between the mouth of Oso Bay and Shamrock Island.
Padre Island National Seashore (PINS): Water samples collected by PINS staff indicate low to moderate cell concentrations of red tide with the highest concentrations at the 45 and 60 mile marker. Water samples were also collected at Bird Island Basin and indicate very low concentrations of red tide.
South Padre Island area: Water samples collected by the Red Tide Rangers along the beach of South Padre Island and in the Brazos Santiago Pass indicate background concentrations of red tide with no reports of respiratory irritation.
November 2, 2015
Port Aransas area: The TAMU Image Flow Cytobot at the UTMSI Pier in Port Aransas continues to report very low to low concentrations of red tide. Water samples collected last week by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) indicated low concentrations of red tide in northern Aransas Bay.
Corpus Christi Bay area: Water samples collected by TDSHS in Corpus Christi Bay indicated high concentrations of red tide along the south eastern side of Corpus Christ Bay and around Corpus Christi Channel near the intersection of the ICWW; moderate to low concentrations along the Corpus Christi Channel near Port Aransas; and low concentrations in Packery Channel. Reports of discolored water in the surf zone were also observed from North Packery Channel south to Bob Hall Pier.
South Padre Island area: Water samples collected by the Red Tide Rangers indicated low concentrations of red tide along the beach of South Padre Island and around the Brazos Santiago Pass.
October 29, 2015
TPWD staff conducted an overflight along the Gulf Coast from Galveston to Pass Cavallo and Matagorda Bay. No red tide bloom or dead fish were observed.
Sabine Lake area: There is no indication of red tide in this area with no observations of red tide aerosols, dead or distressed fish, and no indication of discolored water.
Galveston Bay area: There is no indication of red tide in this area with no observations of red tide aerosols, dead or distressed fish, and no indication of discolored water.
Aransas Bay area: TAMU Image Flow Cytobot at the UTMSI Pier in Port Aransas reported red tide cell maintaining low to very low concentrations. TPWD staff observed distressed gulf menhaden and a slight discoloration to the water approximately 3 miles east by northeast of the Port Aransas jetties.
Corpus Christi Bay area: Streaking continues to be observed along the southern section of Corpus Christi Bay along the bay front. Earlier in the week, dead fish were observed along the bay front as well. Staff also observed discolored water along the Nueces Causeway and while conducting routine monitoring sampling they observed discolored water near the Ingleside area. TPWD staff in the Port O’Connor area observed no indication of red tide.
Padre Island National Seashore (PINS): Water samples collected by the PINS staff contained very low to moderate cell concentrations of red tide with the very low concentrations being found at Bird Island Basin.
San Antonio Bay area: Water samples collected by the Texas Department of State Health Services in San Antonio Bay area indicated high cell concentrations of red tide in Espiritu Santo Bay, approximately half a mile west of dogleg in Army Channel. Staff also observed distressed gulf menhaden in the water.
South Padre Island area: TPWD staff out of the South Padre Island area observed no indication of red tide aerosols, dead or distressed fish and no indication of water discoloration. However, the water samples collected by the Red Tide Rangers along the beach of South Padre Island indicate low to moderate cell concentrations of red tide. Moderate cell concentrations were found around the Brazos Santiago Pass and low cell concentrations were found north of the Queen Isabella Causeway. There was a report of a gulf menhaden fish kill observed near the swing bridge in Port Isabel.
October 26, 2015
Port Aransas at the UTMSI Pier is still reporting low to very low concentrations of red tide.
Padre Island National Seashore reported red tide aerosols and discolored water over the weekend; however, as of today red tide aerosols have dissipated due to wind conditions.
Streaking also continues to be seen in Corpus Christi Bay.
October 23, 2015
Upper Coast (Galveston Bay, East Matagorda Bay, Matagorda Bay): The Image Flow Cytobot at Texas A&M Galveston continues to show background concentrations of red tide near Pelican Island (Galveston).
Mid Coast (San Antonio Bay, Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, Upper Laguna Madre):
The TAMU Image Flow Cytobot at the UTMSI Pier in Port Aransas has reported red tide cells maintaining low to very low concentrations.
On 10/20, TPWD staff observed a sporadic fish kill in the open water of Nueces Bay, about halfway back along the southern shoreline. A water sample showed red tide cells.
On 10/19, TPWD staff observed distressed gulf menhaden in San Antonio Bay, just north of Mosquito Point between the ICWW and Seadrift.
At the end of the week, TPWD staff observed fish kills from Shamrock Cove south to Oso Bay and from Oso Bay to the La Quinta Channel. Staff also observed a fish kill along the southwestern corner north of the JFK Causeway.
Red tide aerosols and floating dead fish were observed in western and southern parts of Corpus Christi Bay. TPWD staff experienced strong red tide aerosols on the water near downtown Corpus Christi mid-week. A moderate fish kill was observed on shorelines from Flato Cut south to the Fish pass.
Water samples collected by the Texas Department of State Health Services indicated high concentrations of red tide cells near the mouth of Oso Bay, in the Corpus Christi Marina and in the La Quinta Channel west of the turning basin; but only low to moderate cell concentrations in Mesquite Bay.
Water samples collected by the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Center for Coastal Studies indicated high concentrations along the southern shoreline of Ropes and Cole parks.
Padre Island National Seashore (PINS): Water samples collected ranged between low and very low. Due to unseasonably high tides, PINS staff was only able to get to the 15 mile marker. Sampling sites included the 7.5 miles from the 0 mile marker, the 0 mile marker, and the northern boundary. Water samples collected at Bird Island Basin showed only background concentrations of red tide.
South Padre Island: Water samples collected by the Red Tide Rangers indicate low to moderate cell concentrations at the Brazos Santiago Pass and background to moderate cell concentrations from the Queen Isabella Causeway north to the South Padre Island Convention Center area. Staff only observed light aerosols at the end of the week.
October 19, 2015
Galveston Bay Area: The Image Flow Cytobot at Texas A&M Galveston continues to show background concentrations of red tide near Pelican Island (Galveston). Water samples collected by TPWD staff between the Brazos and San Bernard rivers showed background concentrations of red tide.
Mid Coast (San Antonio Bay, Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, Upper Laguna Madre):
The TAMU Image Flow Cytobot at the UTMSI Pier in Port Aransas has reported red tide maintaining low to very low cell concentrations.
Water samples collected by the Department of State Health Services in Aransas Bay indicated very low to low concentrations along the southeastern side of the bay from long reef south to Lydia Ann Channel.
All other sites indicated background concentrations
Streaking continues to be observed in Corpus Christi Bay along the southern section near the Corpus Christi bay front.
Streaking was also observed by TPWD staff in Nueces Bay.
South Padre Island Area:
Water samples collected by the Red Tide Rangers indicate moderate to high concentrations of red tide along the beach of South Padre Island.
Moderate cell concentrations from the Brazos Santiago Pass area
And low to background cell concentrations from Queen Isabella Causeway north to the South Padre Island Convention Center
Moderate to severe respiratory irritations were also reported along the gulf shores.
October 16, 2015
Galveston Bay Area: The Image Flow Cytobot at Texas A&M Galveston continues to show background concentrations of red tide near Pelican Island (Galveston). Water samples collected by Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) in the Galveston Bay area indicate background concentrations of red tide with no reports of respiratory irritations.
East Matagorda/Matagorda Bay Area: Water samples collected by TDSHS indicate low concentrations of red tide cells in Matagorda Bay near the mouth of Carancahua Bay, moderate concentrations in Matagorda Bay around the Little Jetties of Port O’Connor and high concentrations in Matagorda Bay near Channel Marker 42.
Mid Coast (San Antonio Bay, Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, Upper Laguna Madre):
The TAMU Image Flow Cytobot at the UTMSI Pier in Port Aransas has reported red tide cell maintaining low to very low concentrations. Water samples collected by TDSHS in Aransas Bay indicated background concentrations.
Water samples collected by TDSHS in San Antonio Bay indicate very low to low concentrations of red tide cells in Espiritu Santo Bay; very low to high concentrations of red tide cells in the ICWW between Port O’Connor and the Turnstake Island and high concentrations of red tide south of the Sanctuary canal subdivision.
Streaking continues to be observed in Corpus Christi Bay along the southern section near the Corpus Christi bay front. Water samples collected by TPWD staff in Corpus Christi Bay indicated high concentrations of red tide near Shamrock Island; low concentrations between Port Aransas and Ingleside; and background concentrations near the Nueces River delta and along the southern shoreline.
Fish kills continue to be observed along the bay front of Corpus Christi. TPWD staff assessed the Bayfront shoreline from North Beach east to the TAMU-CC campus. On 10/14/15, response staff received a report from Corpus Christi Bay Resource Management observing a moderate kill on shorelines from Flato Cut south to the Fish Pass. Based on field observations prior to this report, response staff plan on reassessing the eastern side of Corpus Christi Bay from Fish Pass to Flato’s Cut today (Friday).
Padre Island National Seashore: Water samples collected along the Padre National Seashore indicate high concentrations of red tide from mile marker 0 to mile marker 45 with low concentrations near mile marker 60.
South Padre Island Area: Water samples collected by the Red Tide Rangers along the beach of South Padre Island indicate low to high concentrations of red tide. Water samples from the Brazos Santiago Pass area indicate high concentrations of red tide and only low to background cell concentrations of red tide from Queen Isabella Causeway north to the South Padre Island Convention Center. Conditions in this area continue to change fairly rapidly by the day.
October 12, 2015
TPWD continues to investigate the fish kills reported near Freeport and in the Matagorda Bay area for the presence of red tide.
This weekend, TPWD staff received a report of several small, dead fish in the Pelican Cove Canal at Aransas Pass in San Patricio County. Fish kills also continued to be observed along the bay front of Corpus Christi with another fish kill being observed along the east side of Oso Bay.
At the end of last week, South Padre Island reported maintaining high cell concentrations of red tide along the gulf shore beaches. However, as of October 12th at least one sampling site near the UTRGV – Coastal Studies Lab reported much lower cell concentrations of red tide in water samples along with no respiratory irritations. Water samples collected by the Red Tide Rangers in the Lower Laguna Madre, near the Convention Center continued to maintain low cell concentrations throughout last week.
October 9, 2015
Concentrations of red tide have decreased around the UTMSI Pier in Port Aransas from low concentrations to very low concentrations. There have been a few reports of respiratory irritation from residents this week. However, anglers reported clear waters and good fishing last weekend in the area.
TPWD received notification of a fish kill near the entrance to Panther Point Lake by the old pier. The notification source also observed dead fish around the point close to Panther Reef.
Discolored water streaking continues to be observed along the southern section of Corpus Christi Bay along the Corpus Christi bay front, which indicates high red tide cell concentrations. Water color gets noticeably better as you make your way to Cole Park from the Texas A&M Corpus Christi campus, and continues to improve towards the Inner Harbor entrance. Discolored water is also being observed in Corpus Christi Marina. TPWD staff observed a fish kill along the shoreline of Sunset Lake Park in Portland and along the bay front of Corpus Christi. Staff has also received reports of red tide aerosols causing moderate respiratory irritation from Bob Hall Pier to mile marker 15 in the Padre Island National Seashore.
The water samples collected by the Red Tide Rangers along the beach of South Padre Island and in Brazos Santiago Pass and the Lower Laguna Madre continue to maintain high cell concentrations of red tide. Samples collected near the Convention Center continue to maintain low cell concentrations. Red tide aerosols are being reported as moderate to severe.
TPWD is investigating multiple reported fish kills in the Freeport, TX and East Matagorda Bay area.
October 5, 2015
Over the weekend, TPWD staff and the Red Tide Rangers from the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley Coastal Marine Studies Lab continued to monitor and assess red tide cell concentrations and fish kills.
TPWD staff assessed fish kills around the City of Portland shoreline and confirmed a diverse assemblage of fish killed. There was also a report of dead fish washing ashore near Ingleside Cove. Red tide cell concentrations were also reported to be the same along the coast as last week, with Pelican Island near Galveston maintaining background concentrations of red tide and the UTMSI Pier in Port Aransas maintaining low cell concentrations of red tide. There has been one new report of respiratory irritation in the Port Aransas area, however.
The Red Tide Rangers from the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley Coastal Marine Studies Lab collected the following data regarding red tide cell concentrations in South Texas.
The beach along South Padre Island: maintaining moderate to high cell concentrations
Near the Convention Center on South Padre Island: maintaining low cell concentrations.
Brazos Santiago Pass and the Lower Laguna Madre: maintaining high cell concentrations.
October 2, 2015
TPWD staff conducted fish kill assessments along…
Padre Island National Seashore, from northern Mansfield Pass Jetty north one mile;
the southern shoreline of Corpus Christi Bay from North Beach to Oso Bay Bridge with a fish kill observed at North Beach, McGee Beach, Cole and Ropes Park; and
Boca Chica beach
The fish kills assessed in the Lower Laguna Madre (from Brazos Santiago Pass, west to Bahia Grande and North to the Queen Isabella Causeway and also from Mansfield Pass west) were categorized as having a dense, diverse assemblage of species killed. Padre Island National Seashore staff also reported a small fish kill along the Bird Island Basin area near the Bird Island Basin camp ground but no assessment was conducted.
Water samples to assess red tide cell concentrations were conducted along the coast all week. The following is the latest data regarding the location and cell concentration of red tide from TPWD staff.
Pelican Island near Galveston is maintaining background cell concentrations of red tide and has no reports of respiratory irritation.
The UTMSI Pier in Port Aransas is maintaining low cell concentrations of red tide and has no reports of respiratory irritation.
Padre Island National Seashore has low cell concentrations of red tide at the northern boundary to the 15 mile marker and high cell concentrations at the 45 mile marker to Mansfield Pass.
The area between TAMU-CC and Ropes Park in Corpus Christi Bay continues to show streaking in the water and a dense red tide bloom was observed along the Corpus Christi Bayfront at McGee Beach and Cole Park.
The Upper Laguna Madre around Bird Island Basin had low cell concentrations of red tide to high cell concentrations of red tide at mid-week. However, these cell concentrations then decreased back to low concentrations by the end of the week.
South Padre Island along the beach has high cell concentrations of red tide.
The Lower Laguna Madre, near the Convention Center, continues to maintain low cell concentrations.
The Brazos Santiago Pass and the Lower Laguna Madre have high cell concentrations.
September 28, 2015
Reports over the weekend continued to identify red tide cells at background concentrations near Pelican Island (Galveston) and at low concentrations at the UTMSI Pier (Port Aransas). Water samples taken in South Padre Island show moderate to high cell concentrations of red tide with high concentrations along the beach in the City of South Padre Island. Reports of respiratory irritation declined on Saturday according to city officials. Low cell concentrations continue to be present near the Convention Center in South Padre. Water samples from the Brazos Santiago Pass and in the Lower Laguna Madre found moderate cell concentrations.
TPWD staff is assessing fish kills this week along the Padre Island National Seashore, in the South Padre Island area, along Boca Chica beach and in the Port Mansfield area.
September 25, 2015
Here are the latest updates:
Background cell concentrations of red tide near Pelican Island
No red tide cells in the Galveston Bay area, Copano Bay area, Aransas bay area and Bird Island Basin
Low concentrations of red tide cells near the UTMSI Pier in Port Aransas
Moderate cell concentrations near Port O’Connor with high cell concentrations near the mouth of the big jetties
Corpus Christi Bay has concentrations ranging from background to high. High cell concentrations were observed in Redfish Bay, the La Quinta Channel and from the Texas A&M Corpus Christi campus to Ropes Park
High cell concentrations near Pita Island Park
Moderate cell concentrations along the beach in South Padre Island with high concentrations near Beach Access 6
Low cell concentrations in the Lower Laguna Madre near the Convention Center
Moderate concentrations in Brazos Santiago Pass
Staff from multiple agencies are currently assessing fish kills in the following areas:
Intracoastal Waterway in the Upper Laguna Madre
the area in the Upper Laguna Madre from North in Packery Flats -- West to Humble Channel and south along the Intracoastal Waterway
Padre Isles Canals subdivision
Port Mansfield area
along Mustang Island from Packery Channel north to Newport Beach Access Rd and Mustang Island State Park south to Newport Beach Access Rd
Padre Island from Packery Channel South to the Northern boundary of PINS
September 23, 2015
Reports of discolored water and/or red tide aerosols continue in the Gulf of Mexico from Galveston to Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) and South Padre Island. Reports of fish kills, discolored water and/or aerosols have been reported within some bay systems, including San Antonio Bay, Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay, and upper and lower Laguna Madre.
Galveston Bay near Pelican Island showing low cell concentrations of red tide with no reports of respiratory irritation.
Water samples in the Freeport area found no evidence red tide cells.
The UTMSI pier in Port Aransas is maintaining low concentrations of red tide.
Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) showed an increase in cell densities from moderate concentrations (9/15/15) to high concentrations (9/21/15) with cell concentrations increased further south around the 20 mile marker. Cell concentrations ranging from background to very low were also observed on Bird Island Basin.
Water samples in Corpus Christi Bay have ranged from background cell concentrations along the shoreline of the City of Corpus Christi to high cell concentrations along the city of Portland, near Indian Point Pier.
South Padre Island has seen an increase from very low concentration (9/21/15) to moderate (9/22/15), with high concentrations observed at Beach Access Rd 6.
Brazos Santiago Pass and the Lower Laguna Madre increased in cell concentration from background to low.
TPWD resource Management crew reported a fish kill along the shoreline off beach access #5 on South Padre Island.
The Lower Laguna Madre, near the Convention Center has seen an increase in cell concentration from background to low.
PINS also reported tree frog mortalities as well as spotted ground squirrel mortalities being observed. This has not been observed in other red tide events, historically. PINS will be sending frog and squirrel samples to the National Park Service veterinary lab in Fort Collins, Colorado for further analysis.
Fish Kill assessments are ongoing at…
Mustang Island from Packery Channel approximately 0.5 miles north to Newport Beach Access Road
Padre Island from Packery Channel south to the Northern boundary of PINS.
Mustang Island State Park south to Newport Beach Access Road by Mustang Island State Park staff
The Intracoastal Waterway
September 22, 2015
Reports of discolored water and/or red tide aerosols continue in the Gulf of Mexico ranging from Freeport to Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) and South Padre Island. Reports of fish kills, discolored water and aerosols have been reported within some bay systems, including San Antonio Bay, Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay and the upper Laguna Madre.
Port Aransas reported no respiratory irritation over the weekend.
Mustang Island State Park south to the 20 mile marker in PINS reported respiratory irritation over the weekend along with a continuous, dense and diverse fish kill. The park also reported ground squirrel mortality and a Pygmy Sperm Whale that washed ashore. However, these deaths have not been confirmed as being caused by red tide.
Fish kills were reported in the area in the Upper Laguna Madre from North in Packery Flats, west to Humble Channel and south along the Intracoastal Waterway. There are also reports of dead fish observed in Padre Isles Canals subdivision.
Fish kill assessments are occurring and will be expanded today and tomorrow to cover Mustang Island State Park south to Bob Hall Pier. The PINS staff is assessing the fish kills along PINS this week. TPWD staff and partners are collecting water samples along South Padre Island, Freeport and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.
September 18, 2015
Reports of discolored water and/or red tide aerosols in the Gulf of Mexico range from Freeport to Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) and South Padre Island. Below is the latest information regarding the areas now being affected.
Water samples collected from September 17 to September 18 by the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed moderate cell concentrations in Redfish Bay with a high cell concentration bloom of red tide near Ransom Point. Background cell concentrations of red tide were also indicated along the southwestern shoreline of Corpus Christi Bay. As the week has progressed, South Padre Island cell densities increased from background concentrations to very low concentrations but there are still no reports of respiratory irritations.
The latest locations of observed fish kills include:
The Aransas Pass at the UTMSI pier in Port Aransas
Between Con Brown Harbor and Cove Harbor with a dozen mullet reported killed.
Packery Channel from Packery Basin west to Packery Channel County Park where the fish kill included menhaden, flounder and trout
Humble Channel, north of JFK Causeway
Quarantine shoreline along the Northwest side of the Lydia Ann Channel with an estimated extent of 1.5 miles with oyster toadfish and about 30 mullet being killed.
September 17, 2015
Red tide has been confirmed from Port Aransas south to the 10 mile marker at the Padre Island National Seashore. Water samples collected from September 14th to September 16th by TPWD and Padre Island National Seashore staff confirmed high cell concentrations of red tide at the Bob Hall Pier and the Packery Channel in Corpus Christi. Moderate cell concentrations were found at the Horace Caldwell Pier in Port Aransas; mile markers 0, 5, and 10 along the Padre Island National Seashore; and the Lydia Ann Channel near Port Aransas. Cell concentrations were low at the intersection of the La Quinta Channel and the Corpus Christi Channel. Only background cell concentrations (less than 1 to 10 red tide cells per milliliter and no reports of irritation) were found at South Padre Island and Cedar Pass.
This bloom of red tide has also caused fish kills to be observed by the TPWD staff in areas including:
Mustang Island State Park with a dispersion of approximately 100 fish per 50 feet of gafftopsail catfish, mullet, spadefish and pinfish being killed
The shoreline north and south of the Packery Channel with north of the pass showing a diverse assemblage of pigfish, mullet, spadefish, and hardhead catfish being killed; south of the pass consisting of mainly mullet being killed.
The Bob Hall Pier was also affected with a patchy dispersion of mullet being killed.
Near Port O’Connor, fish kills of gulf menhaden were observed in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway but only background concentrations of red tide were present in the water sample. TPWD also observed an increase from the initial reports of gulf menhaden fish kills along the southern shores of Packery Channel and the gulf shores of San Jose Island.
September 15, 2015
TPWD is working with other agencies to monitor a red tide event along the southern Texas coast. The bloom was confirmed Sunday, September 13, when University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI) personnel around the fish pass jetties on Mustang Island noted irritation of their eyes and nose when breathing. These symptoms are often associated with strong red tide aerosols. Water samples were collected and were found to have high numbers of the microscopic algae Karenia brevis, commonly called red tide.
Samples collected on September 14 by TPWD and Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) staff identified high cell concentrations at Horace Caldwell Pier (Port Aransas), Packery Channel (Corpus Christi), Bob Hall Pier (Corpus Christi), and the northern border of PINS. Mild irritation was also reported at these sites.
This bloom is suspected to have caused fish kills at a number of locations along the lower coast near the Corpus Christi area including the southern shores of Packery Channel and the gulf shores of Padre Island from the Packery Channel jetty south to Whitecap St. Beach Access. In addition, fish kills have been reported along the gulf shores of San Jose Island, north of the Aransas Pass Jetty.
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