The Department of the Environment would like to advise bathers that it is currently investigating recent reports of what appears, upon initial inspections, to be a dinoflagellate bloom affecting different parts of our coastline especially Camp and Little Bay. 

Samples have been collected by the Department’s Environmental Protection & Research Unit for analysis, although the bloom is believed to be composed of a colony of microorganisms known as Noctiluca scintillans or Sea sparkle.

Although these blooms are a natural phenomenon, significant blooms can release gases when they die off which may be detected by their musty/rotten odour. As a precautionary measure, bathers are therefore advised to avoid swimming in areas which may appear discoloured or smell differently. Acute effects such as skin, throat and eye irritation, can occur after short-term exposure to harmful blooms. Any reports of irritation should be reported to lifeguards on duty. In addition, individuals with respiratory conditions should be particularly cautious and avoid swimming altogether if a significant bloom is detected. 

Officers from the Department of the Environment, including lifeguards, are closely monitoring our beaches to determine if any additional measures need to be implemented.