Algal Bloom, Possibly Noctiluca, in Kizhuyak Bay

Observation by Andie Wall:

I saw many ribbons of red, discolored water while flying over the head of Kizhuyak Bay. I assume it was an algal bloom but couldn't land to collect a water sample.

Comments from LEO Editors:

This observation has been forwarded to the Kodiak Area Native Association and the Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network.

Without testing a water sample we can't say whether the discoloration shown is related to algae or something else. However, we do know that the levels of harmful algae at many of the monitoring stations throughout southern Alaska have been high and above the Food and Drug Administration safe harvest level. A great resource for data related to the available monitoring on harmful algal blooms is the Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network website. You can see the current image of the advisories below.

Please note that there are very few sample stations in Alaska, and some places that do have sampling (e.g., Kodiak / Aleutians) do not have datasets up on this website. Despite this, we know that the levels have been generally high this summer and so residents of Kodiak should be watching water and marine animals carefully and be advised that there are high risks associated with shellfish consumption at this time, at least at the monitoring station locations. 8-14-19

Julie Matweyou with the Kodiak Area Health Association and the Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network writes:

Thank you. We have been receiving a number of reports of ‘red tide’ events in the region. This appears to be a Noctiluca bloom (non-toxic) and Andie Wall and I have been discussing how best to get a sample for confirmation.

I am pretty confident in the identification based on historical Noctiluca events in our region and am developing a public service announcement now. 8-15-19

.