Swimmers warned algal bloom affecting beaches, ocean pools between Coogee and Maroubra this weekend
Why swimmers have been warned not to swim at some of Australia’s most popular beaches this weekend: ‘Discolour’
- Algal bloom between Coogee and Maroubra
- Beaches and ocean pools can be affected
- A bloom can cause skin and eye irritation in swimmers
Swimmers have been warned to avoid some of Australia’s most popular beaches this weekend because of a skin irritant in the water.
Randwick City Council in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has advised locals not to enter the water due to an algal bloom along the coast between Coogee and southern Maroubra.
An algal bloom is caused by an increase in algae and cyanobacteria in the water that can change the color to green-brown or even red or blue. It can also cause skin, eye and nose irritation with side effects similar to hay fever.
Coogee and Maroubra beaches may be affected, as are several popular ocean baths and rock pools along the same stretch of coastline.
Thousands of swimmers have been advised not to get between the beaches of Coogee and Maroubra. Ocean baths such as Mahon Pool (pictured) and Wylie’s Baths would also be affected
These include Mahon Pool, Wylie’s Baths, McIver Ladies’ Baths, the Ivo Rowe rock pool and the Rob Walker rock pool.
“The algal bloom can be quite rapid so it will affect different beaches and pools at different times,” a spokesman for the council told Daily Mail Australia.
“If you see a discoloration in the water, don’t swim in it,” he said.
“But in general we advise people to avoid the area.”
An algal bloom can change the color of the water to brown, green or even red or blue and can have similar consequences to hay fever
Pets can also be affected by algal blooms and owners are usually advised to keep their animals out of contaminated water.
The municipality has not closed the beaches, the baths or the rock pools.
In a Facebook post, the municipality said: ‘Algal blooms are a natural phenomenon that discolor the water and can cause skin irritation.
“The council’s lifeguards advise people not to swim until the weather is clear.”