SoundHAB: bloom in Hood Canal too

[Jack Rensel]

A relatively dense bloom of Heterosigma was observed  and confirmed with a
microscope by Kelley Bright of Shannon Point Marine Center.  The sample was
collected from near Belfair but  the extent of the bloom is not known and
may extend some distance past the big bend (Union to Potlatch).   Last
Friday and Saturday the water was clear but there was a strong SW wind that
apparently forced the surface bloom up into the canal.  This is the same
type of condition that caused fish kills in Case Inlet several years ago as
we reported in Hershberger et al. 1997.  So please watch for dead fish as
fish kills are more common from Heterosigma in shallow areas,  o r at least
the wild fish that we can see that have died are easier to spot there.  

 

Meanwhile, the Heterosigma bloom in central Puget Sound off the east shore
of Bainbridge Island to Seattle continues unabated.   As in 2006, waters
near the NOAA research lab and the fish farms at Clam Bay and Orchard Rocks
are much clearer, but some fish losses have occurred. 

 

If you are in the affected areas and have observations, please post your
observations to this list serve. 

 

Jack Rensel

 

J.E. Jack Rensel Ph.D.

Rensel Associates Aquatic Sciences

4209 234th Street N.E. 

Arlington WA 98223 USA

360-435-3285

cell: 360-631-6538

jackrensel at att.net

 

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