Scientists in California predict that a toxic algae bloom found in the Pacific Ocean spanning from California to British Columbia is the largest ever detected originating from the West Coast.
This extremely large bloom is considered unusual as Fisheries and Oceans Canada are now keeping track of this where a fishing area has already been closed off in Vancouver Island in northern Tahsis. According to DFO scientist Ian Perry, most of the affected areas do not raise any health concerns.
This algae bloom was first observed last May where according to researchers from the University of California, Santa Cruz, the microscopic algae apparently produces a neurotoxin that can be considered fatal to humans called domoic acid.
According to Raphael Kudela who is a professor of ocean sciences at the UCSC, these levels of domoic acid observed from Monterey Bay in California are extremely high, the highest ever observed. He adds that the domoic acid levels are so high in Monterey Bay right now that this already reached north of Washington state. This is potentially the most toxic and largest environmental event in the last ten years.
Environmental scientists are now worried about the marine life especially shellfish in the region including razor clams and crabs including West coast sardines and hake which could already possess high levels of domoic acid that is not only dangerous to humans but can also cause shellfish poisoning called ASP. Humans who eat fish with ASP can also suffer from food poisoning.
To date, this deadly acid has already affected more than 100 people with seven fatalities, reports the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The agency also warns that fish and shellfish can ingest the toxin since it poses no health hazards to them but for humans, it interferes with the brain especially via nerve signals.
Within the week, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will start investigating the bloom from Oregon using a research vessel.