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Shellfish tucker turns heads on local beaches
MEDIA
RELEASE
26 October 2010
Shellfish tucker turns heads on local beaches
A brown algae is again turning heads along the region’s West-Coast beaches.
The algae, which is an essential food for shellfish, often washes up on the beaches at this time of year.
Because of its colour it is often mistaken for pollution but is actually made up of microscopic plants that thrive on sunlight and nutrients forming an essential food source for shellfish.
The algae can often be seen near the water’s edge as brown foam left behind by the tide. It is not harmful to people or animals.
Horizons Regional Council spokesman Barry Gilliland, who tested the algae, said he can understand why people look twice at the strange algae.
“The brown surf scum and foam along the beach is not terribly attractive to passers by but it is certainly an attractive meal for our marine life and is a common sight along the New Zealand coast line."
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