As Algal Bloom Returns to the Bay, Is Swimming Safe for Humans (and Pets)?

The red tide that killed an immeasurable number of fish in San Francisco Bay last year has again emerged, covering parts of the bay in a light brown sheen.

The state agency in charge of regulating flows into the bay held a press conference in early August alerting the public about the return of the tea-colored water. This alert came after an environmental watchdog group, San Francisco Baykeeper, received a series of calls at the end of July about a reddish-brown film floating on the surface of the water in places like Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany and Tiburon.