The gray spell of winter was cast aside with bright red waves of algae rolling onto Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles.
The red algae is a kind of rock weed that was most likely shaken loose by strong eastern winds and high tides during the past few weeks, said Liam Antrim, a marine biologist with Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
The beached algae intensifies in color because of the aging process, Antrim said.
Exactly why it concentrated at Hollywood Beach, which faces east toward the entrance of Port Angeles Harbor, and not elsewhere is a mystery.
A random check of beaches around Port Townsend and Dungeness turned up little evidence of red-algae concentrations.
About five different species of red algae exist in the Pacific Northwest and are hard to distinguish from each other, he said.
However, all the species are safe and nontoxic, he said, and much different than the red-tide plankton that causes shellfish poisoning.
The red algae is actually similar to the same kind of kelp used in sushi wraps, toothpaste, soup thickeners and other edible products, Antrim said.
The state Department of Health regularly tests for red tide conditions and shellfish poisoning, Antrim said.
So, people who have doubts before settling into a delicious dish of clams may call the state shellfish poison hot line at 800-562-5632.
