No Red Tide; keep fingers crossed

By Times Staff Writer
Published August 29, 2007

It's August, it's blazing hot, but something's been missing this summer - Red Tide.

Last year, the toxic algae bloomed in June and hung around to February, killing fish, stinging eyes and ruining vacations. This year, nothing.

What's going on?

"This is not unusual if you look at 50 years of records," Cynthia Heil, a senior research scientist at the state Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, said Tuesday. "Red Tides tend to start in September and October most frequently. ... So, enjoy the beach while you can."

By the numbers

3-4 monthsAverage length of a Red Tide bloom

21 monthsLongest recorded bloom, 1994-1996.

1948The microscopic dinoflagellate that causes Red Tide is first identified.

1993-94Red Tide did not appear for 18 months, the only year on record without a bloom. Scientists are still trying to explain what happened. Heil says.

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 01:29:06]