The algae appears in the ocean in under 24 hours -this is nowhere NEAR enough time to accumulate enough tech points to get level 3 farming and the algae-eating fish. HELP! HOW DO I DO THIS?

that happened to me in my very first game... i had too many farmers...anyway level two farming should keep you going for a bit, put everyone on research except for one farmer , two at most... and look out for mushrooms!!! I collected half my food resource through mushrooms when this happened to me and no one died, my adept doctor got some skills healing the weak and sick though!

Also, keep your population low. I just went through that. I have 4 games running and that one is the farthest behind but they are alive and kicking!

And solving puzzle 2 will also provide another source of food. Even with the additional food source, it's best to limit the village population to about 15 or so until you have level 3 of farming.

Also, level 2 construction can help you alot with your food sources.