KBNERR Harmful Algal Bloom Updates

We have the results in from our wild shellfish toxin testing program! The blue mussels collected from Homer Harbor on 8/9/2019 came in below the regulatory limit for saxitoxins. KBNERR is not a regulatory agency and harvesting wild shellfish in Alaska is considered ‘dig at your own risk’. All commercially harvested shellfish are regulated by the DEC and considered safe for consumption.

For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.

It is a relatively quiet week for phytoplankton in Kachemak Bay; we are seeing sparse levels of phytoplankton from most of the sites in the Inner Bay. However, Pseudo-nitzschia is blooming in Homer Harbor. In the Outer Bay at Kasitsna Bay and Port Graham the phytoplankton is abundant with Pseudo-nitzschia, and Lauderia competing at bloom levels.
We will be testing wild shellfish next week and hope to have preliminary results to report out to you all in next week’s Weekly Update.

For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.

The preliminary results from last week’s wild shellfish toxin testing are in! All samples are below the regulatory limit for saxitoxins, the toxin that can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). KBNERR is not a regulatory agency and harvesting wild shellfish in Alaska is considered ‘dig at your own risk’. All commercially harvested shellfish are regulated by the DEC and considered safe for consumption.

For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.

Phytoplankton samples this week are dominated by Pseudo-nitzschia and Chaetoceros sp. in both the Inner and Outer bay. Pseudo-nitzschia is at bloom levels in the samples from Sadie Cove and Peterson Bay. We have started to see larger amounts of Alexandrium in our samples and are awaiting shellfish toxin testing results. We should have these results by tomorrow and will send out an extra update this week if any of them come back above the regulatory limit

For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.

Hello Everyone,

This week Pseudo-nitzschia continues to dominate samples throughout Kachemak Bay. Pseudo-nitzschia is at bloom levels in Halibut Cove, Peterson Bay, and Jakolof Bay. Similarly Pseudo-nitzschia dominated samples during July in 2014 & 2017. As a reminder Pseudo-nitzschia can produce domoic acid which can lead to amnesic shellfish poisoning when toxic shellfish are consumed. Domoic acid also impacts seabirds, fishes and marine mammals, causing lethargy, disorientation, seizures and even death. Please let us know if you observe animals in unusual places or exhibiting unusual behavior. As always we recommend leaving these animals alone. Stranded marine mammals can be reported to the Marine Mammal stranding network by calling 1-888-774-7325.

For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.

Hi all,
This week we saw elevated numbers of Pseudo-nitzchia in Kachemak Bay, with it reaching bloom levels in Halibut Cove and Peterson Bay. Pseudo-nitzchia can produce domoic acid which can lead to amnesic shellfish poisoning when toxic shellfish are consumed. Domoic acid also impacts seabirds, fishes and marine mammals, causing lethargy, disorientation, seizures and even death. Please let us know if you observe animals in unusual places or exhibiting unusual behavior. As always we recommend leaving these animals alone. Stranded marine mammals can be reported to the Marine Mammal stranding network by calling 1-888-774-7325.

For more information on this Phytoplankton Update and the Qualitative Analysis of Phytoplankton Data, click here.