Oyster Bay, where I farm my oysters, is experiencing a Red Tide Algal bloom. It is not so thick that it is visible on the water, but it is present enough for the Bay to be closed to the harvesting of shellfish.
Red tides are harmful algal blooms that occur when microscopic algae in seawater grow to higher than normal concentrations, called a “bloom”, often discoloring the water red, brown, green or
yellow. More than 40 species of toxic microalgae live in the Gulf of Mexico. Karenia brevis is the most prevalent toxic species in the Gulf of Mexico and is primarily responsible for red tide in Florida. K Brevis is common photosynthetic, marine microscopic algae, or “phytoplankton” normally found in densities of less than 1000 cells per liter. It was first identified in 1947, but anecdotal reports of red tide effects in the Gulf of Mexico date back to the 1530s. Florida red tides bloom in the Gulf of Mexico almost every year, generally in the late summer or early fall.
During red tide events, filter-feeding bivalves like clams and oysters accumulate toxins from red tide (called brevetoxin) and can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in humans if consumed. When brevetoxins become airborne in sea spray, eye and respiratory irritation can occur.
In short, this means, I am unable to harvest my oysters during a Red Tide bloom. The current bloom in Oyster Bay was detected in amounts greater than 5000 cells per liter on November 19. On that day the state closed the bay to shellfish harvesting. I sadly had to cancel all Thanksgiving orders. As of this writing 12/8/21 – the bay remains closed. Bays from Apalachicola to Oyster Bay are all experiencing a bloom so locally harvested oysters are unavailable at this time.
The closures are for your safety. They pack a punch to our bottom lines, but your safety will always come first. I will post on social media when the Red Tide clears and I can provide you with OysterMom oysters again.
Meanwhile, I am still tending my oysters and they are doing well.
Please bear with us as we move through this rough patch.
Cheers, and Happy Holidays.
Keller