Red Jelly by day Bright Jelly by night

12 November 2004

Cape Rodney experiences non-toxic red algal bloom

Auckland Regional Council staff today confirmed the presence of a non-toxic algal bloom at Cape Rodney in the Leigh/Ti Point area.

ARC staff were carrying out their monthly routine sample of the area and confirmed the positive result of Noctiluca scintillens, a non-toxic algal bloom commonly found in the Auckland area in the summer.

"We want to reassure the public the algal bloom is harmless to their health and the environment. Our only advice is for the boating public not to drive through the bloom as its jelly-like substance may clog engine filters," said ARC Land and Water Quality Manager Eddie Grogan.

The algae ranges from a light pink to a deep red colour. It looks like pink milk pudding when in concentrated patches and at night causes phosphorescent waves. Similar blooms have been reported on the North side of Waiheke and at Oneroa and Palm Beach.

Residents may recall that two years ago Leigh harbour was totally covered by the bloom.

ENDS

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