Algal Bloom Off Northern Beaches/health Warning

[mrmoshe]

Red sea at morning sparks fish warning

John Morcombe

NSW HEALTH is warning people to avoid eating shellfish and to rigorously clean finfish following the appearance of an algal bloom off beaches at the northern end of the peninsula.

Algae have been cashing in on an upswelling of nutrient-rich deep water and abundant spring sunlight to form the large red bloom.

On Monday afternoon Surfwatch Australia photographed the bloom off Avalon.

The Metropolitan Regional Algal Co-ordinating Committee has taken samples of the algae for identification. Committee spokeswoman Frances Wood said people should avoid the discoloured water ``until we know what it is''.

``It's caused by an upswelling associated with the Eastern Australian Current, which brings deep water to the surface that is rich in nutrients.

``There has also been abundant sunlight, which also warms the water. It is a natural process and happens most springs.''

The algae appears as a red discoloration throughout the water column and is about 200m offshore between Newport and Whale beaches, she said.

NSW Health recommends that until the identity of the algae has been identified, people should avoid all contact with the affected water.

People are being warned not to eat shellfish collected in the area and finfish should be well cleaned, with the guts and gills completely removed, and properly washed and cooked.

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Red algal bloom off Avalon headland on Monday.

Edited October 4, 2006 by MallacootaPete