Kachemak Bay, other Alaska scientists concerned about harmful algae blooms

Published by Homer Independent Press

June 4, 2026

In Kachemak Bay, Kotzebue and beyond, Alaskans are on the lookout for harmful algae blooms. Threats from multiple types of toxin-producing algae and algae-like organisms are rising as does the water temperature.

Alexandrium cells collected from Kachemak Bay in 2017 are seen under a microscope. Alexandrium is the type of algae that produces saxitoxin and related toxins, which cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. (*Photo provided by the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve via the Alaska Beacon)*

Alaska Beacon, June 1, 2026

“Residents in the Kenai Peninsula’s Kachemak Bay area worried that last summer that they might have witnessed the first poisoning event. At the same time that elevated Pseudo-nitzschia levels were detected in the bay, there was a die-off of birds and sea otters.

“Investigations by the Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network, the Homer-based Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Seldovia Village Tribe and other partners turned up no evidence of domoic acid poisoning, despite the Pseudo-nitzschia bloom there. The deaths remain unexplained, despite the testing of 30 marine mammals and 14 birds, said Rose Masui of the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.”