However, if ingested by oysters and other shellfish, the sudden burst of a ciliate form of zooplankton — or animal plankton — called Mesodinium rubrum could turn their meat pink.

The yellow tinting in ocean water has been identified by the Tanana Valley Clinic as spruce pollen, but it remains to be seen why the pollen counts are so high this year.

Ocean water may be tinted yellow from pollen.

Ribbons of discolored water observed over Kizhuyak Bay that are likely related to a Noctilica bloom.

7-11-13 Red phytoplankton bloom - Jakolof Bay, Alaska, USA