Lights, Camera, Algae

[mrmoshe]

Lights, camera, algae

THE peninsula has been treated to a spectacular light show for the past two nights with a neon algal bloom at Manly, Freshwater, Shelly, Curl Curl and Dee Why.

Manly resident Ian Fairhurst photographed the brilliant blue display off Manly beach on Saturday. He and about 70 onlookers were transfixed for hours by the single-celled organisms otherwise known as bioluminescent dinoflagellate. The algae is also commonly called the red wave as during the day it is a reddy orange colour.

``There were millions of them across the water, the full length of the beach,'' Mr Fairhurst said.

The bloom's beauty, however, hides its possible danger. The algae can contain toxins that affect marine life and people if they eat infected seafood. Shellfish is the most at risk.

Doug Rhodes, from the Regional Algal Co-ordinating Committee, said until scientific test results came back today it was best to be cautious.

Until a cause has been established or the bloom disperses naturally people should avoid all contact with the affected water, Mr Rhodes recommended.

People should also not eat any recreationally collected shellfish. Finfish caught in the area need to be well cleaned, washed and properly cooked.

For the latest information on algal blooms contact the toll-free information line on 1800 999 457.

[jewgaffer]

Lights, camera, algae

``There were millions of them across the water, the full length of the beach,'' Mr Fairhurst said.

The bloom's beauty, however, hides its possible danger. The algae can contain toxins that affect marine life and people if they eat infected seafood. Shellfish is the most at risk.

For the latest information on algal blooms contact the toll-free information line on 1800 999 457.

Peter that's another very interesting read.

It's notable how beauty can be quite dangerous to man, animals and fish.

Cheers

jewgaffer

[sanger]

You should have seen the light show we got treated to coming into botany bay after the raider fun day!!! The algae was lighting up all the spray and the wake that the boat was throwing out.....

[mrmoshe]

From Today's Manly Daily:

Algal bloom non-toxic

John Morcombe

29Aug07

THE algal bloom affecting several peninsula beaches is non-toxic, tests revealed yesterday.

Water samples taken on Monday showed the algae were Noctiluca scintillans, which appeared as a red-orange discoloration of the water off Manly, Freshwater, Curl Curl and Dee Why beaches but glowed blue at night.

A spokesman for the Regional Algal Co-ordinating Committee said the algae thrived in warm, nutrient-rich water near the surface.

``The naturally occurring algae usually `bloom' when cold, nutrient-rich water from the continental shelf is brought to the surface of the ocean,'' he said.

``Algae cells feed on the nutrients and multiply, causing a bloom.

``These blooms are distinctly seasonal and occur more frequently during the summer months when the daylight hours are longer.

``Given that temperatures and daylight hours are starting to increase, it is not uncommon to experience a marine algal bloom in August.''

Although the algae are harmless, NSW Health recommends people stay away from all algal blooms because they can cause skin or eye irritations.

The bloom came as temperatures across Sydney reached an unseasonal high of 27C yesterday and people made the most of the northern beaches, including Ethan Wicks and Samuel Meyer (pictured) who enjoyed a spot of fishing at Dee Why pool.

Slightly cooler conditions are expected for the rest of the week, with the Weather Bureau forecasting temperatures of 23-25C.