The very mention of red tides brings to mind the fear of dead fish and toxic seafood. Red tide is a naturally-occurring, higher than normal concentration of the microscopic algae Gymnodinium breve. When red tide algae reproduce in dense concentrations they are visible at discolored patches of ocean water, often red in color.
Red tides are normally isolated patches.
They are often concentrated around wind or tide protected areas like man-made jetties. In Texas the red tides have occurred from August to February. They typically begin in the Gulf of Mexico where currents and winds then transport the blooms toward shore. While the cause of red tide has not been established, scientist believe that it is a natural phenomena that is not caused by mankind. When temperature, salinity, and nutrients reach certain levels, a massive increase in Gymnodinium breve algae occurs.