September 22, 2015

Reports of discolored water and/or red tide aerosols continue in the Gulf of Mexico ranging from Freeport to Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) and South Padre Island. Reports of fish kills, discolored water and aerosols have been reported within some bay systems, including San Antonio Bay, Aransas Bay, Corpus Christi Bay and the upper Laguna Madre.

• Port Aransas reported no respiratory irritation over the weekend.
• Mustang Island State Park south to the 20 mile marker in PINS reported respiratory irritation over the weekend along with a continuous, dense and diverse fish kill. The park also reported ground squirrel mortality and a Pygmy Sperm Whale that washed ashore. However, these deaths have not been confirmed as being caused by red tide.
• Fish kills were reported in the area in the Upper Laguna Madre from North in Packery Flats, west to Humble Channel and south along the Inner Coastal Waterway. There are also reports of dead fish observed in Padre Isles Canals subdivision.

Fish kill assessments are occurring and will be expanded today and tomorrow to cover Mustang Island State Park south to Bob Hall Pier. The PINS staff is assessing the fish kills along PINS this week. TPWD staff and partners are collecting water samples along South Padre Island, Freeport and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.