LOS LAGOS, CHILE — Chile's growing red tide crisis is threatening not only marine life but also communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood.
Red tide is a commonly recurring phenomenon in Chile, but the outbreak that has grown rapidly along the southern coast in the past weeks is one of the worst ever recorded, Reuters reports.
The toxic microalgae blooms that have turned waters red produce toxins that are lethal to birds and marine creatures. Humans who consume contaminated seafood are also at a risk, as red tide poisoning is often debilitating and at times fatal, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Scientists point to El Nino's key role in the outbreak, with warming ocean waters creating a friendly environment for algal blooms. But locals are blaming salmon farms that dumped contaminated fish into the sea last March, and possibly worsened the bloom.
The outbreak has devastated nearby coastal communities and crippled the fishing industry. Tons of dead fish and shellfish have washed up on shore, leaving fishermen with no means to sustain a living, the Guardian reports.
Protests erupted on the streets even as the government declared an emergency zone and offered each affected family 300,000 Chilean pesos.
Experts say it could take months before the algal blooms clear out, and marine products can be safe to eat again, according to National Geographic.
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