Red Tide Advisory:

Delaware experienced a red tide in late August and early September, 2007, due to the presence of Karenia brevis – a naturally-occurring dinoflagellate (single-celled phytoplankton with two flagella). This is the first documented occurrence of the organism north of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The organism is primarily found on the Gulf Coast of Florida, and it is believed that an eddy from the Gulf Stream brought K. brevis to Delaware’s near-shore waters. 

K. brevis produces brevetoxin, which may be released and aerosolized when the organism is broken up in the surf.  Its effects are well documented in Florida. The aerosolized toxin is documented by Florida officials to cause respiratory irritation in the general public when levels reach 100,000 to 200,000 cells per liter. Effects may include coughing and/or asthma-like symptoms. Maximum confirmed densities during the Delaware bloom were 14,000 cells per liter. However, research continues on archived samples. Despite relatively low levels of the organism, anecdotal reports of respiratory irritation, conveyed to the Department after the bloom, raise the possibility of respiratory irritation while on the beach or in the water when levels of the organism are much lower than the recognized threshold levels for expression of symptoms – possibly as low as 5,000 cells per liter.

If you experience coughing, asthma-like symptoms, or other respiratory irritation while on the beach or while swimming, simply moving away from the water will generally eliminate symptoms.  If you experience such symptoms, and believe they are a result of your presence on the beach and/or while swimming, please contact the Delaware Department of Natural Resources at 302-739-9939. We are glad to take your call, and will initiate a follow-up investigation.