SA natural wonder: Amazing footage of bioluminescent algae in Port Lincoln’s deep blue sea

A STUNNING natural phenomenon has turned sea waters off the state’s West Coast a luminous bright blue — watch the incredible video.

THE shores of Proper Bay, just south of Port Lincoln, have been coloured electric blue as bioluminescent algae washes up on the beach, painting the hulls of moored boats in bright fluorescent hues.

The population of bioluminescent algae has exploded in recent days, turning the shallows where the microscopic organisms wash up into a stunning blue light show whenever they are disturbed.

Port Lincoln production company Missing Link Media captured this fantastic vision of the rare sight at Proper Bay on Sunday night.

Ghostly footprints created by bioluminescent algae at Port Lincoln.

Proper Bay resident Therese Pedler noticed the rare natural phenomenon when the family dog was running up and down in the shallows, and left a fluorescent light show in his wake.

“Where the dog stepped there was a bright luminescent green,” Ms Pedler said.

“My son Kye went out in the boat and the hull was coated with it.”

Ms Pedler has lived on the bay for 30 years and has seen less-dramatic versions of the bioluminescent effect before.

“When the kids went fishing you could see it, but it was only a few sparkles,” Ms Pedler said.

“This was like someone had bought hundreds of glow sticks and opened them all at once.”

A hand-slap disturbs the algae and makes it glow a luminous blue.

Missing Link Media’s owner Mark Thomas heard about the glowing shallows from Ms Pedler.

“This happens around the world,” Mr Thomas said.

“Long-time Port Lincoln residents remember seeing this before but it doesn’t happen frequently.

“As far as I know it’s harmless and happens when the population explodes because of an algal bloom.

“It’s only short-lived and once the population is down it is all over.”

The algae looks like pink jelly lying in the shallows and across the surface of the sheltered bay.

But once the concentration of algae is touched or manipulated, it blooms a fluorescent blue.

Mr Thomas said that on the first night a school of fish came upon on the algae and became frenzied, looking like fireworks leaping from the neon water.

Originally published as SA natural wonder: Amazing footage of bioluminescent algae in Port Lincoln’s deep blue sea