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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... PACIFIC OCEAN Team to study extensive toxic algae bloom along West Coast Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Jun. 16, 2015 at 4:44 PM By The Associated Press Posted Jun. 16, 2015 at 4:44 PM » Social News SEATTLE — Federal biologists have embarked on a research expedition to examine the largest toxic algae bloom along the West Coast in more than a decade, an occurrence that has prompted the closure of some shellfish harvests in Washington, Oregon and California. The bloom involves some of the highest concentrations of the natural toxic domoic acid ever observed in some parts of the coast, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday. Local blooms of marine algae are common in spring, but the harmful algal bloom that began earlier this year has grown into the most severe in a more than a decade, the agency said. It stretches from Central California into Washington and possibly as far north as Alaska. In early June, dangerous toxin levels prompted the closure of recreational and commercial Dungeness crab fishing off the southern coast of Washington. Shellfish managers in Oregon and Washington also have closed the coasts to recreational razor clamming. And recreational shellfish harvests have been shut down along Oregon's northern coast. "This is unprecedented in terms of the extent and magnitude of this harmful algal bloom and the warm water conditions we're seeing offshore," said Vera Trainer, with NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle. "Whether they're related we can't really say yet, but this survey gives us the opportunity to put these pieces together." Domoic acid is a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae. It can be harmful or even fatal if consumed in enough quantities. Fish such as anchovy and sardines that feed on the algae can accumulate the toxin. Sea lions and birds that eat those fish can get sick. On Monday, a team of scientists set out from Oregon aboard the NOAA research vessel Bell M. Shimada to survey the algae bloom along the West Coast. They joined a previously scheduled research mission to assess the sardine and hake populations along the coast. The scientists will examine levels of marine toxins and collect water and algae samples, hoping to understand what's happening. NOAA is working with the University of California-Santa Cruz, the University of Washington, as well as the Quileute and Makah tribes in Washington. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Jun. 16, 2015 at 4:44 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501