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Capitola Today
By the People, for the People
Toxic Algae Blooms Pose Growing Health Threat in California
UCSF researchers warn of rising risks from climate change-fueled 'red tides' and call for better community monitoring.
Apr. 7, 2026 at 4:28am
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Toxic algal blooms pose a rising threat to marine life and human health, requiring better monitoring and early warning systems.Capitola TodayA new UCSF-UNESCO partnership is working to address the growing threat of harmful algal blooms, also known as 'red tides,' that can produce dangerous toxins and disrupt marine ecosystems. Toxicologist Matthew Gribble and public health expert Sheri Weiser are leading the effort to study the science behind these blooms and support communities, especially in Alaska, that are most at risk from exposure.
Why it matters
Climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of harmful algal blooms, which can produce toxins that sicken humans, marine life, and birds. These blooms pose a serious public health threat, especially for coastal communities that rely on seafood as a dietary staple. Improving monitoring and early warning systems is crucial to protecting vulnerable populations.
The details
Harmful algal blooms, often referred to as 'red tides,' can produce toxins like domoic acid and saxitoxin that accumulate in shellfish and other seafood. Consuming tainted seafood can lead to severe neurological symptoms in humans, including seizures, memory loss, and even paralysis. The blooms can also deplete oxygen in the water, suffocating fish and other marine life. While California has a robust monitoring program, many Alaskan Native communities that rely on subsistence fishing are at higher risk due to lack of testing for toxins in their traditional food sources.
- In the 1960s, director Alfred Hitchcock was inspired by reports of disoriented birds in Capitola, California, after a red tide event, which led him to create the classic horror film 'The Birds'.
- UCSF recently established a new partnership with UNESCO to create a global hub for research and education on oceans, clean water, and public health.
The players
Matthew Gribble
A toxicologist and UCSF's first Pew-Hoover Fellow in Marine and Biomedical Science, who studies toxin-producing microalgae.
Sheri Weiser
A Professor of Medicine at UCSF who co-leads the new UCSF-UNESCO partnership on oceans, clean water, and health.
Sitka Tribe of Alaska
A tribal community in Alaska that is leading a federally-funded center to understand and reduce the risks of harmful algal blooms for their members.
Daniel Minor Jr.
A Professor at the UCSF Cardiovascular Research Institute who is working to understand the saxitoxin toxin and develop a cure.
What they’re saying
“Although Alaska monitors commercial fishing for unsafe levels of toxins, it does not test food gathered by communities. I support the Sitka Tribe of Alaska as the lead academic partner for the first tribally led federally-funded center to understand, document, and reduce these risks.”
— Matthew Gribble, Toxicologist
“As the number of reported harmful algal blooms appears to be increasing, there's no strong data to help scientists and regulators understand the long-term impacts of low-level exposure to these toxins. I want to see the worldwide research community make progress on that, and our new partnership with UNESCO can support that.”
— Matthew Gribble, Toxicologist
What’s next
The new UCSF-UNESCO partnership plans to expand its work supporting tribal communities in Alaska and other regions to improve monitoring and early warning systems for harmful algal blooms.
The takeaway
As climate change fuels the rise of dangerous 'red tide' events, improving public health surveillance and community-based testing programs is crucial to protecting vulnerable coastal populations from the growing threat of toxic algal blooms.
