The Lorax
Red Tide Blamed For Record Sea Turtle Deaths
POSTED: 5:56 am EDT August 18, 2005
SARASOTA, Fla. -- This summer's red tide outbreak is killing record numbers of sea turtles off the southwest Florida coast, scientists said.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 106 sea turtle deaths were reported from June 26 through August 15. The 10-year average for the same period is 17.
Red tide poisoning affects turtles' brains, causing muscle twitching and an inability to control their neck functions, said Charles Manire, chief veterinarian at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota.
The institute has reported 113 sick or dead turtles so far this year. The total for 2004 was 83.
Manire said the turtles might be inhaling the toxin, or eating infected crabs, shrimp and small fish.
Researchers haven't determined whether the turtle deaths are linked to a large region of the Gulf of Mexico bottom about 10 miles offshore, where a red tide bloom has choked off oxygen and killed undersea life, Manire said.
From Sarasota County to Pinellas County, the red tide has killed crabs, sponges, soft corals and other bottom-dwelling marine organisms.
A red tide bloom forms when a microscopic algae reproduces at an explosive rate. The algae emits a neurotoxin that can paralyze or make breathing difficult for fish, manatees, or even humans that inhale or ingest it.
A winter bloom killed 47 manatees, said Cindy Heil, a senior scientist for the state's wildlife research institute.
Reprinted in full under what I believe to be fair use of information that disappears faster than plants and animals.
POSTED: 5:56 am EDT August 18, 2005
SARASOTA, Fla. -- This summer's red tide outbreak is killing record numbers of sea turtles off the southwest Florida coast, scientists said.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 106 sea turtle deaths were reported from June 26 through August 15. The 10-year average for the same period is 17.
Red tide poisoning affects turtles' brains, causing muscle twitching and an inability to control their neck functions, said Charles Manire, chief veterinarian at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota.
The institute has reported 113 sick or dead turtles so far this year. The total for 2004 was 83.
Manire said the turtles might be inhaling the toxin, or eating infected crabs, shrimp and small fish.
Researchers haven't determined whether the turtle deaths are linked to a large region of the Gulf of Mexico bottom about 10 miles offshore, where a red tide bloom has choked off oxygen and killed undersea life, Manire said.
From Sarasota County to Pinellas County, the red tide has killed crabs, sponges, soft corals and other bottom-dwelling marine organisms.
A red tide bloom forms when a microscopic algae reproduces at an explosive rate. The algae emits a neurotoxin that can paralyze or make breathing difficult for fish, manatees, or even humans that inhale or ingest it.
A winter bloom killed 47 manatees, said Cindy Heil, a senior scientist for the state's wildlife research institute.
Reprinted in full under what I believe to be fair use of information that disappears faster than plants and animals.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home