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Media Release - Department of Infrastructure, Planning aand Natural Resources Sydney: 9 September 2005 ALGAL BLOOM: ROSE BAY AND BALMORAL BEACH The algal blooms present at Rose Bay and Balmoral Beach have been identified as the non-toxic algae Noctiluca scintillans. Laboratory analysis of water samples collected today at Rose Bay and Balmoral Beach confirmed the presence of Noctiluca scintillans in the water. NSW Health advises that this species of algae is normally considered harmless. However, it is recommended that people avoid contact with all visible blooms. Noctiluca blooms appear as a rusty or pink colouration in or on the surface of the water. Algal blooms are formed when wind and water currents cause microscopic cells to become concentrated in a small area of water, such as a beach or cove. The occurrence of Noctiluca blooms in Sydney tends to increase in early spring and summer. Today’s algal bloom follows similar reports in recent weeks of Noctiluca blooms occurring at Manly Cove and Spring Cove at Manly, Rushcutters Bay at Darling Point, Burraneer Bay at Port Hacking, and Taronga Zoo Wharf at Mosman. The presence of jelly-like scums have also been recently reported at beach locations in Sydney. The scums were identified as consisting of many semi-transparent, free-swimming marine animals called salps. Salps form purple-blue gelatinous, harmless masses, which are closely related to sea-squirts and resemble (but are not related to) jellyfish. All suspected algal blooms should be reported to the Regional Algal Committee during business hours (02 4722 1188), or the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Environment Line (131 555) after hours. *** If any health effects are experienced from contact with water affected by algal blooms, medical advice should be promptly sought This media alert only reports algal blooms that have been brought to the attention of the Metropolitan South Coast Regional Algal Coordinating Committee. Algal blooms may be present in other areas where there is no regular algal monitoring. Toll-Free Algal Information Line - 1800 999 457 for the latest information on algal blooms at certain recreational sites within the Sydney and South Coast Regions. Media contacts: Doug Rhodes, mobile: 0409 983 008; Frances Bryce, mobile 0437 596 103.   MEDIA CONTACTS: Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Media Unit (02) 9228 6543 23-33 Bridge Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile (02) 9228 6564 Top of Page List of Media Releases © NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources