Every year extraordinary numbers of fish and other marine life die due to the toxins produced by G. breve . Filter feeding mollusks filter the water, containing the G. breve blooms, and therefore become highly concentrated with the dinoflagellate toxin. If eaten uncooked, or improperly cooked by an unsuspecting human, the concentrated toxin in the mollusk could easily poison the person. This is an indirect effect of red tide. The direct effects of this dinoflagellate are encountered more by those who live along the shoreline where ride tide occurs.
Many people often suffer from irritation of the eyes, nose and throat.
Other complications of red tide in humans can be much more severe. Unfortunately those who suffer from chronic respiratory conditions can really feel the effects of red tide. It is suggested that these people try to remain away from the dinoflagellate blooms. While the effects of red tide on humans can be rather severe, the more milder complications usually clear up about 24 hours after exposure to the blooms is discontinued. Microscope image of red tide cells.