Algae blooms trigger warnings at Copa, Terrigal and Avoca

SWIMMERS and anglers are being urged to avoid Terrigal, Avoca and Copacabana after the discovery of “red tide” algal blooms which can trigger skin rashes, asthma and eye and ear irritation.

“Red tide” algal blooms have been detected at Copacabana, Avoca and Terrigal beaches.

• $27M twin towers planned for The Entrance
• Inside Gerry Harvey’s $20M high tech cucumber farm

SWIMMERS and anglers are being urged to avoid Terrigal, Avoca and Copacabana after the discovery of “red tide” algal blooms which can trigger skin rashes, asthma and eye and ear irritation.

The red coloured algae has been identified as Trichodesmium erythraeum, commonly referred to as “red tide” or “sea sawdust” and is similar to algal blooms detected on Sydney beaches at the weekend.

Central Coast Council has warned contact with the algae in the affected water can cause skin rashes, asthma and eye and ear irritations.

A previous red algae bloom upstream of Avoca lagoon in 2016.

Anyone who comes into contact and experiences health effects should seek medical attention.

People should avoid eating recreationally collected shellfish in affected waters.

In a statement released last night the council said there was some evidence that small quantities of algal toxins may enter seafood flesh if a bloom produces toxins.

Finfish caught in affected areas should be well cleaned, washed with uncontaminated water and any internal organs disposed of before consumption.

People are being urged to avoid Copacabana, Avoca and Terrigal beaches.

Trichodesmium or red tide as it is known, is a common occurrence on the east coast of NSW and is caused by upwelling of nutrient rich deep ocean waters that comes down the coast in the warm waters of the Eastern Australian Current.

It can be observed as red brown slick of sawdust like particles at the water surface.

Generally these blooms dissipate with changing tides and or wind conditions and might be observable as slicks for hours to days at a time.

The red algae was similar to blooms detected at some Sydney beaches at the weekend.

The bloom appears as a yellow-brown surface scum with an oil slick type of appearance. When it decomposes it may release a pinkish colour into the surrounding water and take on a pale green colour.

The bloom is likely to dissipate naturally in the next few days and beach goers are advised to look out for signs of the algal bloom before entering the water.