Stretching from Central California and all the way to British Columbia, the algal bloom that has hit the West Coast could possibly be the largest one yet experts have laid eyes on.

According to Seattle Times, the algal bloom—an occurrence where in a population of algae is rapidly increasing in a water system—could even go as far as Alaska, which experts can't help but anticipate.

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Along with the vast algal bloom is the rapid accumulation of domoic acid, a type of acid produced by algae that can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning. Aside from shellfish, domoic acid typically affects anchovies, sardines and other underwater creatures. The large concentrations of domoic water is generally referred to as the "red tide."

The massive algal bloom has now led officials to shut down commercial and recreational shellfish harvest, particularly in Washington and California. The same is true for Oregon, which on Monday was visited by federal biologists to survey how the toxic algal bloom has affected its waters.

Crab and clam fisheries were also forced to close down due to the significant risk the largest algal bloom has brought with it, Tech Times reports.

Scientists believe that the high temperatures lately could have triggered the sudden algal bloom off the West Coast .

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife coastal shellfish manager, Dan Ayres, said that the temperatures right now are just perfect for plankton growth that's why the algal bloom was inevitable.

What's surprising is the fact that algal blooms usually happen in spring. This time however, the algae's visit came a little early.

In light of the observation and examination experts did on Oregon coast, they found out that the massive algal bloom has set a record for having the highest concentration of domoic acid.

When ingested the domoic acid toxin can cause food poisoning and severe damage, like seizures and even death. And this is what scientists fear the most right now.

Because the algal bloom has spread in vast bodies of water, experts warn fishermen not to eat the fish, clams and crabs they go from recreational harvesting or personal consumption.

Meanwhile, scientists confirmed that people can still eat their favorite seafood as long as the fish and clams they consume were commercially caught, CNBC has learned.

As of late, experts have learned that the highest concentrations of domoic acid were found in California, Monterey Bay and in Homer, Alaska.

TagsAlgal Bloom, West Coast, Environment, Scientific Phenomenon, Toxins