Karenia brevis is the dinoflagellate responsible for the red tide in Florida and Texas. When it's in high concentrations, it causes the water to take on a reddish or pinkish color. It uses its two flagellas to move more easly through the water.
It is harmful to marine animals and humans, causing death and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. Symptoms of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning include vomiting, nausea, and a variety of neurological symptoms such as slurred speech. As a result, the Gulf coast economy is negatively affected because it prevents people from being able to eat shellfish. Because the fisherman can't sell it, they economy takes a dive.
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