How the Harte Research Institute's Early Warning Network Is the Coastal Bend's First Line of Defense Against Red Tide

How the Harte Research Institute's Early Warning Network Is the Coastal Bend's First Line of Defense Against Red Tide

As reports of red tide continue to affect portions of the Galveston coastline, researchers at the Harte Research Institute (HRI) are proactively monitoring Texas waters through an advanced early warning network of Imaging FlowCytobots (IFCBs) designed to detect red tide and other harmful algal blooms in real time, before they become visible. This early warning is critical to protect beachgoers, communities, and coastal industries along the Texas coast.

“Many times, the presence of red tide isn't known until people start seeing dead fish or experience respiratory irritation along the beach,” said Michael Wetz, Ph.D., Chair for Coastal Water Health at HRI. “What makes our monitoring network different is that it serves as a first line of defense, helping us detect the presence of red tide early and giving communities more time to prepare.”

Karenia brevis is the microscopic algae responsible for red tide in the Gulf. Under the right environmental conditions, Karenia brevis can multiply rapidly and produce toxins that harm marine life and can cause respiratory irritation in people. The toxins can also accumulate in shellfish, creating risks for seafood harvesters and consumers.

Red tide events on the Texas coast are often patchy and constantly changing. Wind, currents, and tides can quickly move blooms from one area to another, making continuous monitoring critical. For example, a bloom is currently affecting parts of the Galveston area. However, an IFCB operated by HRI at Port O'Connor has detected only low abundances of the algae.

“Right now, there is no immediate concern for the Coastal Bend,” Dr. Laura Beecraft, Associate Research Scientist for Coastal Water Health at HRI. “However, red tide blooms can move with changing currents, which is why having an instrument positioned between our region and affected areas is so important. If conditions change, we have a much better chance of detecting it early.” Researchers say several factors influence how long a bloom may persist. Red tide typically thrives at water temperatures above roughly 75 degrees Fahrenheit and in water with a salinity similar to seawater. Cooler water temperatures, strong mixing from cold fronts, and significant freshwater inflows from heavy rain or storms can help disrupt blooms.

The monitoring network is expanding through strategic partnerships across the Texas coast. In addition to the Port O'Connor site, new instruments are being deployed through collaborations with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at facilities in Flour Bluff and Rockport, as well as the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi.

This work is made possible through current funding support from the Texas OneGulf Center of Excellence and the Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, as well as past support from the Matagorda Bay Mitigation Trust and 1PointFive, along with the many partner organizations that host and help maintain monitoring stations.

Together, these partnerships are helping to create a proactive coastal monitoring system that can provide earlier alerts, support public health decisions, protect fisheries, and help communities stay informed when harmful algal blooms threaten Texas waters.