A thick, hairy red algae covers large portions of the sand near the South Packery Jetty in Corpus Christi, according to popular marine biologist Jace Tunnell.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It smells like one Corpus Christi beach is ready to let the new year wash over it.
An algae — known as Digenea simplex — currently covers parts of the beach near the South Packery Jetty.
Harte Research Institute (HRI) marine biologist Jace Tunnell recently explained on social media that several beachgoers reached out to him Monday asking why the thick, hairy, red algae is washing up across the shoreline.
“This is something that comes around once a year; we see big swaths of this stuff washing in,” he said when he met 3NEWS on the beach.
Tunnell said the algae grows in large mats and supports a wide variety of small invertebrate species. This dead and decaying sea life partially gives the algae its signature smell – the other part is due to the algae, itself, also dying.
The organism had accumulated up to 4 ft. deep in some areas earlier this week, but Tunnell said there’s no reason to be concerned about it.
“As with anything washing up along the Gulf of Mexico beaches, it could all be gone in a few days or a few weeks,” the researcher said.
A ‘spaghetti monster’ washes up on the beach
It’s not just smelly seaweed that has washed up on the beach this year.
Tunnell said 2024 has offered him a chance to educate others about the interesting ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico.
Whether it’s a venomous fire worm, the notorious blue-dragon sea slugs, or an uncanny doll head of unknown origins, there have been plenty of odd finds in South Texas’ own backyard.
Some of those other discoveries include spaghetti monsters, Man O’ Wars, ‘witch bottles’ — which are thought to contain spells — handmade Cuban refugee boats, and artifacts from the 1940’s.
When 3NEWS spoke with Jace Tunnell on Tuesday morning, he said the red algae’s stench already had diminished slightly from the previous day.
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“If people are interested in seeing this, they better come out here today (Tuesday), otherwise it could all be gone,” he said. “That’s how fast things change.”
As the new year approaches and our Gulf waters shed the algae and the microbial sea life it supports, it’s a well-timed reminder.
Change may be a bit smelly, but as is customary on South Texas shores, it won’t be long before another transition is around the corner.
And those looking for an adventure in the new year have a unique opportunity laying at their sandy feet.
“I think if people want to get involved in beachcombing in 2025, it’s going to be an awesome year for that, Tunnell said with excitement.
“Every day is a discovery. You never go out and see the exact same thing. There is always something new washing in.”
New Year, New Finds
HRI is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary with more of Tunnell’s educational beach adventures.
“We have some great videos set to come out in 2025 that will blow people’s minds, including shark tagging, life rafts, 1900’s steamship coal, mermaid’s purses,” he said.
The Institute plans to release at least one video per month that ties beach finds in with other Harte Research Institute research going on at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
“Should be one of the most exciting and entertaining years we’ve had,” he said. “Plus, it will be HRI’s 25th anniversary since opening, so we’ve got big plans to celebrate with the community.”
You can follow the Harte Research Institute on YouTube and Facebook to keep up with more discoveries in the new year.
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