What is red tide?
There are many different types of red tides – most of which are harmless. Red tides are so called because the presence of large quantities of algae causes the water to look pink, orange, violet or (most commonly) red. Most types of algae that cause red tide are harmless, but one type causes a toxic reaction called Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). Although more frequent during the warmer months, red tides can occur at any time of the year. The toxins that cause PSP are tasteless, odorless and colorless, but are readily detected through scientific testing. Minterbrook’s oysters and harvest grounds are routinely tested for the presence of the toxins which cause PSP and this information is provided to the Washington State Health Department and used to track the level of toxins occurring in waters throughout the Puget Sound. This information is then made public on the Red Tide Hot Line.
