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22/12/2006: "TOXIC ALGAL BLOOM ...... Red weed strikes again"
The mid north coast (of New South Wales, Australia) is being effected by a large algal bloom of red weed. The weed is being held against the shoreline by the high Christmas tides and will probably pose a threat to the health of shellfish and fish and people who eat them.
Oysters, abalone and pippies are at risk. General practicioners should be told of the potential hazard of people being sick from eating shellfish.
Former professional abalone diver, Vic Ley, has been monitoring the presence of the red weed invasion for the past weeks.
“It won’t go away, this is the most persistent invasion we have had for years. It effects the marine life, all fish leave the area. I guess the weed chokes their gills” he said.
I noticed pippies that appeared sick on the effected beach Usually active and quickly escape by digging into wet sand in the surf zone, these were sluggish and barely able to move. The thick red weed apparently to blame.
Byron Bay and Seal Rocks often have similar problems with different colored algal blooms which locals call cornflakes due to the larger size of the weed.
