Saturday October 3, 1999

Tony Reisinger, Cameron County Marine Agent, noticed water discoloration while leading a 4-H field trip in Isla Blanca Park, Cameron County, Texas at 1:00 pm on Saturday October 3, 1999. He brought a water sample to the University of Texas-Pan American Coastal Studies Laboratory and identified Gymnodinium breve in the sample. Identification was confirmed by Dr. Hudson DeYoe of The University of Texas-Pan American biology department who happened to be conducting a marine botany field trip at the Coastal Studies Laboratory. Dr. DeYoe specializes in marine microalgae.

Water discoloration in streaks of up to a mile in length were seen in the Isla Blanca Park area. Mr. Reisinger counted 350 cells per ml in the one sample he had collected, but the sample was not in an area of water discoloration. Later in the day, Mr. Reisinger collected another sample from the north jetty of Brazos Santiago Pass, and counted 1,996 cells per ml. Both dead and distressed menhaden were seen.

Below 500 cells/ml, water is not discolored, but fish may die and people may experience respiratory and eye discomfort.

On Sunday morning (3 October 1999) South Padre Island Police reported dead fish along the southern 2/3 of the Town of South Padre Island, and respiratory discomfort in the northern portion of the Town. A telephone report was received reporting a fish kill on Boca Chica.

On Sunday afternoon, the count had risen to over 4000 cells/ml and the water was evenly discolored out to abut 600 meters from shore. An estimated 30 dead menhaden per meter lined the Isla Blanca Park beach.

On Monday morning 8:00 am. the seas were rough and the water was well mixed. Cell count had dropped to 287 cells/ml. The counts are not comparable because earlier the water was not well mixed --- cell counts could be 1000 times higher or lower depending where the samples were taken. Monday morning's sample is probably an overall average. Water was not discolored, but respiratory irritation persists. No new dead menhaden had recently washed in.

One report from yesterday (Sunday) is there were no dead fish, water discoloration, or respiratory irritation between the Town of South Padre Island and the first washover. A report from Saturday is there were dead menhaden in Mansfield Pass, but it is not know whether there were any along the beach near the pass.

Tuesday 5 October, 1999 --- 9:00 am -- cell count in one sample on Isla Blanca Park beach was 140 cells/ml; no new dead fish, no water discoloration, and respiratory irritation was minimal. We are investigating a report of a fish kill in a Port Isabel channel. The Texas Department of Health said yesterday they will close oyster harvest as of midnight last night.

Tuesday, October 5, 1999 --- 4:00 pm --- cell counts near western end of causeway (fishing pier) = 75 cells/ml. Shrimp boat harbor (near 2410)= 49 cells/ml. Port Isabel Channel (bridge at White Sands/Quick Stop)= 83 cells/ml.

Wednesday, October 6, 1999 --- 8:30 am --- Isla Blanca Park surf cell count = 81 cells/ml.

Friday, October 8, 1999 --- Discolored water reported at north end of Town of South Padre Island. Hector found the water was brown in color from the shore out to about 300 M. He counted 34 cells/ml. I assume the brown discoloration was due to a diatom bloom, which is not uncommon after a red tide; however, I did not check to confirm this.

Also on Friday, a local fishing guide reported respiratory irritation between the old causeway and the Port Isabel Fishing Pier, between Holly Beach and Stover Point, and to a lesser extend in a dead-end channel in the "fingers" of Port Isabel. No one was available to investigate the report.

Sunday, October 10, 1999 --- A report was received on Monday that discolored water was seen on Sunday in the "fingers" area. We checked the area and did not see and dead fish or discolored water, and did not notice any respiratory or eye irritation. No water sample were taken.

Don Hockaday, 12 October 1999 --- 1:00 pm