Does the red tide extend out to the islands?

[Leejnd]

Charlie and I are headed out to Anacapa tomorrow (FINALLY, after two cancellations -- YAY!) I understand there's a red tide along the coast. I've dived in a red tide before at Vets and all I can say is...BLECH! :yuck:

Is the red tide just a coastal phenom, or does it extend out to the Channel Islands?

 

[JMdiver]

Hi LeeAnne,

Last time we had it I went out to Anacapa & you can see where it ends as you head out. It wasn't at the Islands.

John

 

[Leejnd]

Thanks much! I feel better.

 

[tc]

There was a report from one of the boat Captains today on another board and he said they cleared it coming out of San Pedro after a few miles.

 

[drbill]

We don't see it out here anywhere near as frequently as it is reported on the mainland. The generally shallower coastlines there and nutrient enrichment from shore are probably among the reasons it is worse on your side of the Channel.

 

[Leejnd]

Well it may not have been a red tide, but there sure was a lot of plankton blooming out at Anacapa today! Worst vis I've ever seen out in the Channel Islands. But then this is my first year diving, and I was told that this is common for April. Even so, it was a whole helluva lot better than anything I've been seeing at the beach in the past 6 weeks! Good day today overall.

 

[drbill]

Yep, vis this time of year (in spring) can get quite bad if conditions are right for a plankton bloom (upwellings or other transport of nutrients and longer daylength). Just remember... these plankton blooma may greatly affect visibility, but they are also the food source for many of the critters you want to see later in the season!

Did see reports of 30-50 ft vis out here on the island in the vicinity of the Isthmus. Hope it holds for the weekend.

 

[jetfixer]

News media makes it seem like the end of the world...what else is new.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,268923,00.html

 

[Leejnd]

Yikes, I saw that in the paper, today, and now I'm wondering...I brought back several scallops from Anacapa yesterday, which are sitting in my fridge. I was going to eat them for lunch. Should I throw them away?? Does this toxic acid extend out to the Channel Islands, or is it just in the red tide areas?

 

[mario_speedwagon]

I'm surprised by the fact that Fox News has a "Science" Segment.