Algal bloom washes up on Sydney beaches
AN ALGAL bloom caused concern after it washed up on Sydney beaches in the past few days. It has prompted authorities to issue a warning to beachgoers.
Manly
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A MYSTERIOUS slimy, smelly, oily slick, which washed up on a popular beach and covered the water around two yacht clubs in Manly Cove earlier this week has been explained.
Authorities say it wasn’t a fuel spill or leaking sewage, but a massive naturally occurring algal bloom.
Residents living near Forty Baskets Beach at Balgowlah Heights feared the pungent, brown sludge floating on top of the tide last weekend was man-made.
Boat owner David Owen said the slick had a strong petrochemical-type smell. He was worried it may have leaked from a large cruise ship or merchant vessel.
“It was thick and brown, it was horrible,” Mr Owen said.
“There was an oily sheen to it.”
Another resident, Ed Darmanin, who took photos of the slick, said it gave off a chemical odour.
“It was so thick that it left black and brown tide lines on the sand,” he said.
Mr Owen was so concerned about the slick that he called the NSW Ports Authority last Friday night.
Mr Darmanin called the Water Police, which sent a boat out to investigate.
There were also reports on social media that the bloom was seen near The Spit, Little Manly Beach and The Sound — the area between the mouths of Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour and North Habour..
Images also showed the slick swirling around the jetties at the Manly Yacht Club and the 16 Foot Skiff Club on the eastern side of Manly Cove.
The bloom lasted just a few days and had disappeared by Wednesday morning.
The Port Authority and Water NSW both confirmed the slick was not man-made and was actually an algal bloom.
A Water NSW spokesman said the bloom was non-toxic.
“But our advice is to avoid contact with the substance because it may cause discomfort,” he said.
The Port Authority advised residents or boat owners to report any unusual slick s to it or the Environment Protection Agency.
The algal information line on 1800 999 457 provides recorded information on algal alerts.
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