It is unusual for my Baja forecast to mention a “Red Tide,” but a recent Facebook thread had folks worried about water contact, so I posted the following.
As a long ago marine biologist who spent years in the Sea of Cortez I would guess it is Noctiluca
scintillans. Noctiluca is a dinoflagellate, a type of single-celled organism.
It’s known for its bioluminescence. The winter blooms are mostly caused by strong winds causing local upwelling. The sudden burst of nutrients triggers a massive bloom. Lots of bioluminescence tonight would confirm this reasoning. Unlike some other dinoflagellates, especially those common on the California coast, Noctiluca does not directly make a shellfish toxic. The main problems are oxygen depletion and ammonia
release as they die off, which can kill local fish if conditions stay calm.
Personally, I would avoid local seafood, especially reef fish and shellfish for a few days. And take a good shower. Remember, there is a chance some more dangerous dinoflagellates are also present. If you brought your girl scientist’s microscope check the water. Noctiluca are distinctive.