Unusual red tide causes big, dangerous stink

You smell it before you see it, as large amounts of dead fish and even some dead birds continue washing ashore in Mississippi’s three coastal counties…all a result of red tide.

Director of Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Monty Graham, has been working in the Gulf of Mexico for about 20 years. “I’ve never seen anything like this one."

A red tide is a type of algae bloom that releases harmful toxins that work their way through food chain.

Marine officials warn residents to be cautious of which fish they eat. "The dead or distressed fish along the beach do not eat it, do not harvest it, do not cook it. However, if you go fishing you can eat the fish. If you catch a fish, it is perfectly safe to eat that fish,” according to Melissa Scallan, of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.  

Algae blooms like this are more common off the west coast of Florida and even Texas, but not for Mississippi, particularly during this time of year. But, warm temperatures and a lack of fresh water moving out of estuaries, create the perfect environment for this algae. Experts say there’s no telling just how long it will last.