If you see anything that you think could be a cyanobacteria bloom or phormidium, call the ORC Pollution Hotline on: 0800 800 033 (answered 7 days a week) or email us to let us know what you have observed.Īny photographs of suspected algal blooms that you can send us of will help us to quickly identify the type of algae and notify people of any risk that may be present. The algae can produce toxins (called cyanotoxins) that are harmful to. What should I do if I suspect there's toxic algae? Toxic algae blooms are more likely to occur over summer, and when rivers are low. Lakes: Known cyanobacteria hotspots in Otago If an algal bloom develops on the Gippsland Lakes, information (factsheets and maps) are available on this website and through local outlets, including local. These blooms can cause sickness and death. Rivers: Known cyanobacteria hotspots in Otago Harmful algal blooms are caused by high concentrations of certain types of algae that can produce toxic compounds. Exposure to high levels of this toxin can cause symptoms within minutes to a few hours after. Please avoid the area until further notice and when it has been removed from the list below.Ĭardrona River at the Confluence (11/03/23)įor more information on potentially toxic algae, please visit the LAWA fact sheets below, watch the video and check out a list of sites across Otago where toxic algae has been sighted and confirmed. Anatoxin-a is a strong toxin that affects the nervous system. Some cyanobacteria species can produce cyanotoxins during algal blooms which can be harmful at elevated levels if ingested by dogs, wildlife and humans, or. Some cyanobacteria can produce toxins that are harmful to animals and humans. Samples collected at the following sites show the presence of the toxic Cyanobacteria. Scroll down to see what to do if you spot toxic algae. Its musty smell in particularly attractive to dogs and, if eaten, can result in severe poisoning or death.Īnyone whose dog is showing signs they may have consumed cyanobacteria mats, such as lethargy, muscle tremors, fast breathing, twitching, paralysis and convulsion, should be treated as an emergency and referred to a vet immediately. The public is encouraged to stay informed. Cyanobacteria in rivers, which looks like dark tar mats on riverbeds and riverbanks and cyanobacteria in lakes, which is green and looks like pea soup.Ĭyanobacteria in rivers form mats that detach from the riverbed and can wash up on riverbanks. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) monitoring is concurrent with the water recreation season, April 1 through October 31. ![]() In Otago, we commonly see two types of potentially toxic algae. Not all algal blooms are harmful, some can actually be beneficial. Blooms can block light to organisms lower in the water column, or even clog or harm fish gills. It can also be harmful by causing anoxic conditions where oxygen is depleted from the water. Also refereed to as blue-green algae, cyanobacteria is commonly mistaken for green algae due to its similar appearance and impositions. Naturally occurring algae can be toxic and harmful to human and animal health. A bloom does not have to produce toxins in order to be harmful to the environment.
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