Noctiluca bloom in bay

Observation by Carol Fletcher:

There were two blooms in two weeks in Kasaan Bay in May. The second bloom on May 30th was the largest Noctiluca Scintillan bloom I had ever seen as I've worked here over 10 years. The bloom around the dock was so heavy we could not filter it and it looked like orange juice in the jar when we collected it.

LEO Says:

This observation has been shared with UAF Marine Science, and Knik Tribe Harmful Algal Bloom project, Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Risk Management (a project working closely with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Environmental Health Laboratory, testing shellfish, fish, and invertebrate samples sent to us from across Alaska.)

”Noctiluca scintillans is a marine species of dinoflagellate that can exist in a green or red form, depending on the pigmentation in its vacuoles. It can be found worldwide, but its geographical distribution varies depending on whether it is green or red. This unicellular microorganism is known for its ability to bioluminesce, giving the water a bright blue glow seen at night. However, blooms of this species can be responsible for environmental hazards, such as toxic red tides. They may also be an indicator of anthropogenic eutrophication.” Wikipedia

Comments by Dean Stockwell:

SEATOR in Sitka has been reporting high levels of PSP throughout your region in Blue Mussels and Butter clams. The Knick Tribe also has had high levels of PSP in the same clam species. Other than that nothing specific. Noctiluca is a bit more obvious as you can tell by various shades of red. pink and orange discolorations. Note: If large blooms die off they can deplete the water of oxygen, causing fish kills.

Comments by Thomas Farrugia:

I heard about this bloom while it was happening. At the same time I did hear of another one around near Hollis, so not too far from Kasaan. I couldn't tell if these were part of the same large bloom, or two separate ones. Other than that, I haven't heard of another Noctiluca bloom in SE, but generally this has been a pretty active year for blooms, and there has been quite a few shellfish samples that have come back with moderate to high levels of algal toxins in SE.”

Comment by Bruce Wright:

The Knik Tribe's harmful algal blooms (HABs) project, Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Risk Management, is a 4-year project working closely with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s Environmental Health Laboratory, testing shellfish, fish, and invertebrate samples sent to us from across Alaska. This project allows us to support the shipment and testing fees for samples coming from all over Alaska.

Comment by Gemini:

Noctiluca scintillans, a non-toxic algae bloom, is generally considered harmless to humans. It's a type of phytoplankton that emits a greenish light when disturbed, which is harmless to humans. Although it's sometimes called "red tide" when it appears, it's a different species from the toxic algae that can cause harmful red tides.