MANHATTAN BEACH : Red Tide Poses No Danger to Swimmers, Officials Say
A red tide discolored waters off Manhattan Beach on Friday, although authorities said it is still safe to swim there.
Shellfish caught in the waters, however, should be discarded because the microorganisms that produce the red tide release toxins when consumed by shellfish.
“The water was brick-red when we got to the pier this morning,” said Kecia Tressler, a biologist at the Round House Pier Aquarium in Manhattan Beach.
The red tide, which can last for a few days and as long as three weeks, is caused by a rapid growth of one-celled organisms that are carried by currents. As the microscopic animals multiply, the water turns red.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
