One of the largest toxic algae blooms recorded off the West Coast is denser, more widespread, and deeper than scientists feared just weeks ago.
The bloom now stretches from at least California to Alaska according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sponsored researchers.
They say the Pacific Ocean’s unusually warm temperatures have caused it to flourish.
Alaskan researchers are still studying whether this huge algae bloom is tied to unusual marine mammal behaviors since the growth can turn toxic according to NOAA’s Julie Speegle.
Speegle: “There’s naturally occurring algae blooms and in certain ocean conditions they just explode in population and they can have a toxic substance. If the population is low on those blooms they’re not problem but if there’s a lot of those blooms they can increase toxicity, especially for animals that live in the water.”
The Pacific Seafood industry, coastal tourism, and marine ecosystems in lower states have already seen severe consequences from this bloom which is as much as 40 miles wide in spots.
After finding elevated levels of marine toxins in crab meat, Washington coast shellfish managers doubled the area that is closed to recreational and commercial Dungeness crab fishing on Tuesday.