Reddish-brown algae harmful to fish and other marine life has appeared along the shores of Emeryville, Berkeley and Albany, environmental group San Francisco Baykeeper confirmed Monday.
Last year, a harmful algae bloom of the same kind caused a red tide spreading across San Francisco Bay, resulting in an unprecedented fish kill event.
Breaking News: Suspected red tide algae bloom reported along East Bay shoreline. @SFBaykeeper @sfei_asc, @jarosenfield
, https://t.co/e6p2xtWwGc— San Francisco Baykeeper 🌊 (@SFBaykeeper) July 31, 2023
Baykeeper scientists say that the algae bloom is likely fueled by elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus – substances released into the sea by the region’s 37 wastewater treatment plants. The EBMUD Wastewater Treatment Plant of course operates just south of Emeryville and has on occasion discharged raw sewage into the bay.
“It’s alarming to see an algae outbreak of this size in the Bay for the second year in a row,” said Baykeeper science director Jon Rosenfield. “While it’s too early to tell how this harmful algae bloom will proceed, there’s not much that we can do to stop it once it has started. Prevention is the only cure.”
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Baykeeper urges the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board to upgrade permits for Bay Area wastewater treatment facilities to dramatically reduce nutrient loads discharged into the bay.
The organization also calls on the public to report any water that looks or smells suspicious to its pollution hotline.
“The organism that likely forms this bloom is not known to pose a risk to humans,” said Rosenfield. “Regardless, we advise caution when entering any water that is discolored.”
SF Baykeeper is an NGO founded in 1989 whose mission is to investigate pollution, hold polluters accountable and strengthen laws that protect the Bay.
Read SF Baykeeper’s full press release on Baykeeper.org.
Satellite Image: Google Maps
