A rare sighting is possible indicator of prey abundance.
The Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research program found that all shellfish species in Settler's Cove and Seaport Beach in Ketchikan and Starrigavan North beach in Sitka are affected by high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Toxin, posing the risk of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning for consumers.
If the cysts contain milky, white fluid, they are likely Henneguya, a harmless and relatively common parasite. But if they contain a larvae, they are likely tape worms which can infect people.
Warmer waters likely enabled a phytoplankton bloom to occur much later in the year than normal off the coast of Alaska and British Columbia.
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