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Health advisory for fecal bacteria at Residents Beach no longer in effect
Beachgoers at Residents Beach on Marco Island have the all-clear to return to the water after an advisory against swimming due to enterococcus levels
Toxic red tide detected along Texas coastline — here’s how it can affect your health
A red tide bloom along the Texas coast is prompting warnings from officials as the toxic algae could cause respiratory problems for beachgoers.
Sea Aggie Researchers Make Evening Fun with Science on the Beach
“The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it’s the one thing all of us share.” – Lady Bird JohnsonOn Galveston Island, beaches rank among the favorite environments to share and study, and, as Texas A&M University at Galveston faculty emphasized last week, are “More Than Just Sand.”A program subtitled “The Secret Life & Value of Sandy Beaches” drew more than 40 people to the Aug. 13 meeting of Surfrider Foundation Galveston, a local chapter of a nonprofit focused on the protection and enjoyment of oceans and beaches.The evening began barefoot with ecology lessons on the sand before moving across Seawall Boulevard for beverages, bites, and more beach talk at an area establishment. Drs. Guilherme Corte and Yasmina Shah Esmaeili show how a mesh bag is used as a sieve to separate organisms from samples of the sand. Credit: TAMUG Divisions of Marketing and CommunicationsNot far from where others were enjoying the attractions at Pleasure Pier, Drs. Guilherme Corte and Yasmina Shah Esmaeili introduced the ecologically curious to species living within the sediments.“When people hear ‘coral reefs,’ they immediately think of fish, live ecosystems, but when they think of sandy beaches, they think party, recreation, vacations – not coastal ecosystems,” said Corte, an assistant professor of marine biology in the College of Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies at TAMUG.Shah Esmaeili co-founded the Gulf eDNA Network and works with Corte in TAMUG’s Benthic Ecology Lab.“Sandy beaches are indeed great places for leisure and recreation,” Corte said. “Let’s keep enjoying them, because they are awesome. But they are also full of life that we most of the time don’t realize is there.”The married couple soon had the beachcombers measuring the slope with PVC poles, searching for ghost shrimp with a stainless-steel pump, sifting for marine worms and sand fleas, and guessing which species would burrow fastest back into the sand once released.Away from the sand, the focus turned to research from Drs. Ashley Ross ’03, ’10, and Virgie Greb, ’25 and those words from Lady Bird Johnson reminding people that the environment isn’t separate from their daily lives.“It’s about things that we value, mostly our communities, strong local economies, outdoor recreation, cultural connections, and our overall quality of life,” said Greb, a proud BOI – born on the island – Galvestonian, who now works in Austin as a project manager for the Texas General Land Office. “Along our coast, these benefits are deeply interconnected.”Greb and Ross, an associate professor in marine and coastal environmental science with the College of Marine Sciences & Maritime Studies, have studied a variety of ways beaches and the sea are important to Galveston and those who live there. Drs. Ashley Ross (left) and Virgie Greb (standing at right) field questions after their presentation. Credit: TAMUG Division of Marketing and CommunicationsIn 2023, using three survey methods – online for Galveston County residents, in-person at beaches, and paper distributed via city water bills – they collected 732 complete responses, 53 percent from residents and 47 percent from visitors.Most were frequent beachgoers who gave the recreation value of Galveston beaches a “B” and rated amenities such as restaurants, lodging, shopping, and beach access highly. Lower rated were water clarity and restroom facilities.“It’s noticeable that primary residents actually rate water quality higher; they’re more tolerant of hard, turbid water,” Ross said, crediting them with better understanding the natural conditions with the Trinity and San Jacinto Rivers bringing sediments and rich nutrients to the area around Galveston.Island residents also were more likely to understand that “clear” isn’t the same as clean beach water and to know that water quality is regularly tested. Clean means absent of disease-causing pathogens.“We need more education and outreach focused on water quality and the benefits of Galveston beaches and shores and water,” Greb said. “And it’s not just for tourism. There are a lot of people who are very lucky to live on an island with beaches and the bay.”
Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections
As many as one in five Vibrio vulnificus infections are fatal, a much higher rate than other types of Vibrio bacteria.
Community science project aims to warn beachgoers of 'greenhead' hotspots
A unique kind of beast emerges from the marshlands of the East Coast each July.
Flesh-eating bacteria cases prompt health warnings for Gulf Coast
Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria, one variety of which is often deadly.
Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections
Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters.
Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections
Louisiana has confirmed nine cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, the state's health department said last week in a news release. All were hospitalized, and five died.
Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections
Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria.
Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria found in coastal waters.
Health officials urge caution for Gulf Coast beachgoers during surge of deadly bacterial infections
Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria.
Louisiana health officials warn beachgoers of flesh-eating bacteria risk
Health officials in Louisiana are urging beachgoers to take precautions during a summertime surge in infections from a flesh-eating bacteria.
Beachgoers warned after deadly 'flesh-eating' bacteria kills 5 in southern state
Five deaths in Louisiana from Vibrio vulnificus mark a sharp rise, as all nine cases involved open wounds exposed to warm seawater this year.
County Environmental Health issues closure notice of Coronado's Glorietta Bay
Beachgoers were advised the ocean water in the area contains sewage and may cause illness.
Tyrella beach: How beachgoers are turning snaps into science
Scientists hope to learn more about the impact of climate change on coasts through people's photos.
Beach water warnings ahead of Fourth of July holiday due to elevated bacteria levels
Health officials were warning beachgoers to avoid entering the ocean at several locations due to elevated bacteria levels that could make people sick.
North Carolina lifeguards prepare for holiday surge, with an eye on rip currents
Experts offer safety tips for beachgoers as millions are expected at the North Carolina Coast this weekend.
Health officials warn beachgoers of flesh-eating bacteria ahead of July 4; What you need to know
From New York to Florida, cases have been recorded.
Popular beaches closed as high bacteria levels raise health concerns for swimmers
Several states warn beachgoers about elevated bacteria levels this summer, with beach closures in Iowa, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Washington state.
Record seaweed invasion leaves beachgoers gagging as fumes raise health fears
Record sargassum seaweed levels hit South Florida beaches in May, creating foul rotten egg odors and disgusting beachgoers across coastal communities.
CA health officials warning beachgoers of bird flu for pets after elephant seals contract virus
People and their canine companions are urged to be extra careful now at the beaches because of a new warning from the California Department of Public Health about bird flu.