I like the premise of taking a pest and turning it into a resource. However, I doubt that this is possible to do "in the wild" with a natural red tide bloom. Researchers are looking into using algae to produce biofuel but not necessarily methane. I do not know if the specific species of algae that makes a red tide was studied.

Who knows, you may just have a new idea.

It is a little bit hard to tackle with a natural red tide in very large-scale. But existing red tide treating methods cannot deal with it either. I consider about add the biogass process to the conventional physical process, for example salvage.
Well, I also have no idea why the researchers prefer biofuel.

What are you talking about when you say 'existing red tide treating methods'... and '..the conventional physical process.." .

While NOAA is doing some research on response methods to red tides or "Harmful Algal Blooms", there is really nothing done at present to remove the blooms from the ocean, afaict.

Some harvesting methods for algae have been developed, but they are energy intensive and are less practical or still unproven, for the application of harvesting wild blooms that can appear and disappear quite suddenly in the ocean.

In the case of the annual "red tides" in Florida caused by Karenia brevis, the toxins also become airborne and cause respiratory illness, which would certainly pose another issue for harvesters.

Another harvesting method has been proposed, using fish as mobile livestock, to consume the algal blooms caused by fertilizer runoff into the Gulf, then extracting the oil from the fish. Once again, this would not be applicable for toxic blooms such as the "red tides". At least, I reckon the toxins would interfere with the plan of having maximum biomass of algae consumed by the fish.

Yes. I agree that the harvsting method is cost and energy intensive. So I consider add the biogas process after this method. So at least we can reduce the cost the harvesting.

I wonder how thick a mat is formed in a "red tide" algal bloom. I suspect there isn't enough biomass in it to make an economical fuel source. Only a guess, though.

Well I wish somebody would come up with something, it's a damned nuisance...although hasn't been a problem here lately...

There seems to be some uncertainty as to where the Karenia are getting the nutrients for these blooms on the Florida coast every year. Unlike so many other famous algal blooms, which are obviously fed by sewer outfalls or agricultural runoff.

Perhaps they should look to the currents down near the ocean bottom, that might be bringing nutrients in to that area.

It's the first time I've heard of airborne algae toxins, doesn't sound like much fun!