toxic algae

Toxic algal bloom found on the Snake River for second year in a row

Courtney Flatt

It’s the same type of algae that turned up on the Snake River last year. In high concentrations, it harms people, pets, and livestock. The toxins can also accumulate in fish.

A man kneeling down in the mud by surrounded by geoduck clam

Environment

Shellfish harvesters have to consider biotoxins later in fall and winter

Lauren Gallup

Harmful algae grow and produce biotoxins during spring, summer, and even early fall. However, biotoxin outbreaks have become more common in the winter, too.

Dying clams on Washington's Hood Canal, victims of Yessotoxins from Protoceratium reticulatum, a dinoflagellate phytoplankton.

Environment

Researchers identify shellfish-killing phytoplankton behind massive summer die-offs in Puget Sound

Bellamy Pailthorp

In July of 2018 and 2019, large numbers of oysters, cockles and clams died on beaches all around Puget Sound. No one knew why. It was a particularly bad…

Dawn Radonski, harmful algal bloom specialist with the Quinault Tribe , sets out to sample for toxic algae at Copalis Beach in Ocean City, WA.

Environment

Economy, traditions suffer as toxic algae shuts down clamming on Washington coast

Bellamy Pailthorp

Wind and rain hammer the coast in the early morning hours at Copalis Beach in Ocean City. But Dawn Radonski is already out in her waders, waiting for the…