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Scientists with the University of Delaware Citizen Monitoring Program said a small amount of dinoflagellates resembling the toxic algae Karenia brevis made its way into the Indian River Inlet in late August and early September.
However, scientists with the program and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) did not find any evidence of contamination of shellfish or of any fish kills.
Ed Whereat, director of the citizen monitoring program, said the algae was detected in water samples between Aug. 30 and Sept. 12, from beaches up and down the Cape Region.
Whereat said there was no indication beachgoers encountered health problems and no evidence of toxicity was apparent from shellfish meat collected at the site.
Whereat said it was highly unusual to see these dinoflagellates this far north.
He said he suspected the dinoflagellates were carried up here from Florida by Gulf Stream currents.
According to a report by the citizen monitoring program, strong flood tides and on-shore winds repeatedly pumped the dinoflagellate Karenia papilionacea into Indian River Inlet and on Sept. 1, it was detected throughout the shellfish harvesting areas in Indian River Bay. However, after that time, papilionacea was detected very infrequently in the Inland Bays.
Karenia brevis was detected at Cape Shores at up to 10 miles offshore on Sept. 6, at ocean beaches extending to Indian River Inlet. Accumulation of Karenia brevis can lead to poisoning of shellfish beds. If shellfish poisoned by Karenia brevis are eaten by humans, the resulting symptoms can include respiratory problems and, in extreme cases, death.
Representatives from DNREC were not available for comment.
Todd Fritchman, captain of the Dewey Beach Patrol, said he had not had any reports of red tide or any health problems with beachgoers.
Kent Buckson, captain of the Rehoboth Beach Patrol, said he had one report from a lieutenant of a possible red coloration in the water but that he also did not have any reports that beachgoers had health problems.
While Whereat and officials from DNREC said the algae detected were not found in concentrations high enough to close down beaches or shellfish beds,Whereat said more research is needed.
Looking for a tiny patch of this particular algae is like “looking for a little patch of poison ivy in a forest,” he said.
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CIB to discuss red tide on Nov. 16
The Center For The Inland bays will be holding a meeting of its scientific and technical advisory committee at 9 a.m., Friday, Nov. 16, to discuss the discovery of harmful algae blooms, commonly known as red tide, off the waters of Indian River Inlet.
Ed Whereat, coordinator of the University of Delaware Citizen Monitoring Program, will be speaking about red tide and other issues related to climate change and pollution.
Red tide is a common nickname for a wide variety of algae blooms, the most harmful being Karenia brevis. Red tide can cause shellfish poisoning, fish kills and respiratory problems for humans.
Samples of water contaminated with the algae Karenia papilionacea were found consistently for a two-week period on ocean beaches from Fenwick Island to Cape Henlopen, according to a report by Whereat.
Karenia brevis was reported as being detected at Cape Shores, just inside Delaware Bay.
However, according to Whereat, tests on shellfish meat revealed no toxicity and beaches were not closed down by DNREC.
Whereat said it was very uncommon to see these types of algae blooms this far north. Until this past summer, the farthest north it had ever been found was North Carolina.
In addition to the presentation on red tide, the meeting will also include presentations on the Rehoboth Bay dredge plan and the result of a recent study on the health of the wetlands in the Inland Bays. Amy Jacobs of DNREC will give the wetlands presentation.
The meeting will be held at the Biden Environmental Education Center at Cape Henlopen State park in Lewes.
For more information, contact Sally Boswell at 302-226-8105.
Contact Ryan Mavity at ryanm@capegazette.com
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