COLLEGE STATION, Texas - One of the largest and longest red tides in Texas history appears to be disappearing, thanks in part to recent and much-needed rains, giving a well-deserved rest to volunteers who helped track the harmful algal bloom.

Samples collected and studied by Red Tide Rangers, a group created by the Texas Sea Grant College Program's Tony Reisinger and the acting director at The University of Texas-Pan American's Coastal Studies Laboratory, Don Hockaday, showed no red tide cells in the waters near South Padre Island.

'I think we can say that red tide gone from South Texas and is not likely to come back in the near future,' said Reisinger, Cameron County Coastal and Marine Resources Agent with the Texas Sea Grant Extension Program (TXSGE).

via "Red Tide Rangers earn rest as bloom wanes" | Texas Sea Grant (note: article no longer online)