SEATTLE – The largest West Coast toxic algae bloom in more than decade may stretch from Central California to Alaska.
NOAA says it is mobilizing more scientists to study and chart the bloom which has led to the closure of several fisheries along the West Coast.
NOAA says marine algae blooms are common in the spring, but this one has grown much larger and contains some of the highest concentrations of the natural toxin known as domoic acid.
Fish that feed on the algae can ingest the toxin. That can poison birds and sea lions which eat those fish.
"This is unprecedented in terms of the extent and magnitude of this harmful algal bloom and the warm water conditions we're seeing offshore," said Vera Trainer of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. "Whether they're related we can't really say yet, but this survey gives us the opportunity to put these pieces together."
Washington state shellfish managers were forced to close the southern Washington coast to Dungeness crab fishing earlier this month.
All coastal Washington beaches have been closed to razor clamming. NOAA estimates that has cost coastal communities more than $9 million in revenue.
Officials in Oregon have stopped all shellfish harvesting from the Columbia River south to Tillamook Head and closed the entire state coastline to razor clamming. The state has also closed mussel harvesting along the Oregon Coast north of Gold Beach.
The University of Washington, Quileute Nation and Makah Tribe are also taking part in the study.
