Using the plants at the side of the lagoon
and the floating dried fica rushes for contrast, 
we have a good of the murky waters.

Posted 6/17/99

Early May, 1999. Without the arrival of any kind of storm, everyone woke up one morning,  looked out at the Mystic Island lagoons and said: "What in the world caused that?"

Looking like storm churned waters, the lagoons, creeks, and many areas of Great Bay were tinged brown. 

Since then, rumors have been flying!
I decided that we needed to learn more about the subject, so I went up on the web to do some research.

1-"Is it dangerous?"
2-"What is it?"
3-"What caused it?"
4-"What is it's effect on fishing?"
5-"When is it going away?"

Links to more info 

Brown tides are not known to produce any kind of neurotoxins.  The brown algae in large numbers absorb much of the oxygen in the water, as well as causing that thick cloudy effect that can hurt the tiny marine plants if present for a long period of time.   Loss of plants can have a long term effect of reducing the number of young fish, which can mean a shortage of fish in Great/Barnegat Bay's future if it stays all summer.  The algae also affects the growth of shellfish, such as clams and scallops.  They stop feeding, so they stop growing.

"What is it?" What we apparently have here is Aureococcus anophagenfferens or similar algae, forming what is commonly called a Brown Tide.  I found out that there are several different kinds of algae "tides" and that they vary in degrees of severity/toxicity (see "Is it dangerous?").  The algae go through prosperous periods where they "bloom", sometimes spanning large areas of water, as they are doing here in our lagoons and bay waters.  We've heard that areas of Barnegat Bay are also affected.   "Blooming" simple means that the population of algae has grown so thick that the waters are full of clouds formed by the microscopic creatures/plants.
 

"What caused it?" Here's where we run into more questions!  There are many  theories as to why the algae suddenly bloom in such great numbers.  Two of them are listed below:

* Sudden temperature changes of the shallower waters---which we definitely encountered this spring, first by warming too quickly, then dropping again to cooler temps.
* Freshwater flow drought-----we are currently experiencing a drought in this area, as we've discussed in the daily reports, the marshlands are badly dried out to the point that the minnows are in scarce supply.  The marsh is crusted with salt.  High salinity is also a factor in causing the brown tides!

"What is it's effect on fishing?" There has been a definite drop-off in fishing during the last two weeks that the water has been cloudy.  The lack of oxygen due to the high concentration of algae is most likely make some of the fish, like the Fluke, sluggish.  They may have moved out to clearer waters, as well.  Weakfish were still biting well in the areas of Little Sheepshead Creek and Grassy Channel during dusk and dawn.  The NE weather we've been experiencing for the past two days has slowed that fishery down a bit.  Need a recommendation for fighting the presence of the brown tide?  The water is cloudy------make sure your lures and baits are highly visible!   Brightly colored bucktails, worms, and plugs will definitely increase the chances of catching a fish.   They surely won't bite it if they don't notice it!

"When is it going away?" This is a definite unknown.  The longer the area waters stay cloudy, the more damage that will be done to the local wildlife.  Fishing and clamming both will be at risk-fish will move out, shellfish will stop growing..  There are hopes among the locals that a good storm might blow out the algae, or at least bring in enough water to break it up or disperse it entirely. 
So......Pray for a good storm!