Scientists say algae is a threat to wildlife

STUART, Fla. (CBS12) — As the algae continues to flow into the St. Lucie Estuary, the wildlife in the area are exposed to the toxins.

"The immediate threat is of the water and the toxin," said Vincent Encomio, Director of Scientific Research at the Florida Oceanographic Society. "Because it's known as a liver toxin, the thought is that could be affecting mammals heath and potential fish health."

Encomio said the secondary threat is when the algae dies. He said the bacteria breaks down in the water and sucks the oxygen out

"Those could become potential dead zones for any wildlife in that area.," he said, which would typically be in canals or marinas, where the water doesn't flow as much.

When it comes to sea grass and oysters, Encomio said the freshwater alone kills them. He advises you to avoid the algae and the wildlife around it.

Mary Radabough, the manager of Central Marine, said even if you don't see the algae, it doesn't mean it's not there. She's seen firsthand algae flowing in and out of the marina.

"Once the visual is gone, it can still be just as infectious," she said. "That’s hard for the public to understand that they may see it at the shoreline and think that it’s not anywhere else, but it actually is once you get up on top of it."

Radabough has been the manager at Central Marine for the last 13 years.

"That's too long for us to keep doing this," she said. "I'm really tired of it."

Radabough said the area is usually full of fish and birds, but it hasn't been lately. However, she did see a manatee snacking on the marina's sea wall.

"His intention was to go for the barnacles, but the algae was all over him," she said.

Earlier this year, a dead manatee was found at this marina, but Florida Fish and Wildlife could not link that manatee's death to algae.

Track algae testing in Florida through an interactive map. Call (855) 305-3903 to report an algal bloom, or go online.