Toxic Algae Bloom Off Coast Is Vast

Commercial crab fishing has been closed off the Washington coast this summer because of a giant bloom of toxic algae all along the west coast. The bloom has also affected recreational razor clam and mussel harvests on the entire west coast. Researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently completed an ocean survey of the bloom and found it to be larger, deeper, and more dense than previously imagined.

GUESTS:

• Vera Trainer: Manager of the Harmful Algal Bloom Program at NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle
• Steve Rumrill: Shellfish program leader for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Dan Ayres: Coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife