Red tide blooms off Jones Beach, Monday. (Sept. 6, 2010)

Red tide blooms off Jones Beach, Monday. (Sept. 6, 2010) Credit: Kevin P. Coughlin

State environmental officials are investigating red-algae blooms spotted this week off Jones Inlet and in New York Harbor to determine whether they pose a threat to humans or the environment.

A report Monday from the Coast Guard labeled the blooms "red tide" - a layman's term often applied to any algae, toxic or not, that turn water red - and advised swimmers and boaters to steer clear of the patches.

But the state Department of Environmental Conservation said Tuesday that the red-algae varieties found in New York waters don't usually sicken people who ingest or swim through them.

>> Read Jennifer Smith's full story

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses. Credit: Randee Dadonna

Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses. Credit: Randee Dadonna

Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.

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