Corpusfishing.com

[Tyler]

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is working with other agencies to monitor a red tide event along the southern Texas coast. On August 24, 2016, the Image Flow Cytobot located at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas alerted responders to the possible presence of Karenia brevis, a microscopic algae more commonly known as red tide. Water samples were then also collected at Bob Hall Pier (North Padre Island) by staff at the Center for Coastal Studies, Texas A&M Corpus Christi and by the Coastal Studies Lab in South Padre Island at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. These samples confirmed very low cell densities of K. brevis. They reported no fish kills or respiratory irritation.

On September 6, 2016, Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) received reports of a possible fish kill and some respiratory irritation. An investigation conducted by PINS staff indicated a very small fish kill was associated with moderate cell densities of K. brevis from the 0 mile marker to the 25 mile marker. Currently, the fish kill appears to be in small numbers and the extent is localized along this part of the Barrier Island. PINS staff is also reporting mild respiratory irritation in that area.

TPWD will continue monitoring all Texas bay systems and testing for the presence of red tide. Any further updates can be found online through the Coastal Fisheries Facebook page, Harmful Algal Bloom Research and Education Facebook page the TPWD Red Tide Status web page or by phone at 1-800-792-1112 by selecting 'fishing' and then 'red tide'.

Thank you.

Alex Nunez

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Coastal Fisheries - Ecosystem Resource Program
Kills and Spills Team, Region 4
Coastal Ecologist
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