Wow, great stories. Much appreciated by this prairie boy dipping his toe in the vast ocean.

My understanding is that abalone and crab are not affected by red tide. Does that sound right to you?

Also, I noticed that cormorants spent a lot of time working the water not too far offshore -- certainly close enough to reach with a crude raft.

And, ducks and gulls were irresistably drawn to a spot where a fresh creek flowed into the bay. Bathing mostly, but possibly feeding too?