Incredibly 'spectacular' sight witnessed off Aussie coast hides a sad reality: 'Bad news'
The 'beautiful' natural phenomenon has been reported across one state in recent days, but the 'red slicks' in the water is a sign of something more.
It's not every day you see the shores of beaches and waterways turn a "spectacular" shade of red, but during an algae bloom, that's exactly what's been witnessed. And the incredible sight is leaving Aussies in awe, with reports of multiple sightings this week.
Patches of Tasmania's coastline have become tainted with trails of red hues, often described as "red slicks" in the water. At night, a blue bioluminescent glow appears in place of the red. The incredible, natural display is a result of a chemical reaction within an organism's body — commonly seen in jellyfish, bacteria, squid and crustaceans — that produces a glowing light energy.
They "frequently occur on the coast of NSW," and around the country, UTS Professor of Freshwater Ecology, Simon Mitrovic, told Yahoo News Australia. But while beautiful to look at, it can have extremely fatal effects, experts warn.
'Lucky' Aussies stunned by incredible beach scene
Taking to Facebook, residents across the state have shared their amazement after witnessing the natural phenomenon. One "lucky" woman said she was taken in by the "stunning" scene playing out before her eyes
"Watching the way they dance in the waves is something to just sit and take in," she said.
"The pink hues in the water are the algae before the dark of night transforms them into the stunning blue that many other photographers are sharing across the internet. I was lucky enough and blessed to have seen this natural wonder only 10 minutes from my home".
Another man said the event he witnessed in southeast Tassie was "one of the most spectacular bioluminescence occurrences" he had ever seen.
The natural occurrence is thought to appear every year across the country, but the amount and how it looks changes each time. So far, sightings have been reported in Eaglehawk Neck, Port Arthur, Bellerive, Montagu Bay, Hobart's waterfront, and Bruny Island, according to the ABC.
And while not toxic to humans, it can cause skin irritation, experts have long warned. So it's best to avoid swimming when it occurs.
🌊 Aussies flock to iconic beach as waves light up bright blue
🦀 Aussie beach turns red as incredible 'tidal wave' takes over
'Beautiful' algae bloom can have fatal effects, expert warns
As beautiful as it is, there's an underlying cause for concern, says biologist and jellyfish expert Dr Lisa-ann Gershwin. Because it can have fatal effects on sea creatures, she explained.
"At night, you just get these fabulous displays of the bioluminescence that take your breath away. They're so beautiful," Dr Gershwin told the ABC on Wednesday. "But it's absolutely bad news for organisms that live in the water".
There are three main ways the fascinating blooms can negatively impact the ecosystem, she continued.
Firstly, it consumes large amounts of plankton, a vital food source for other organisms. It also greatly reduces oxygen levels in the water causing some marine life to suffocate.
Lastly, it releases ammonia into the water which can burn the sensitive tissues of fish and block their gills.
Significant blooms a sign of imbalance
While the bioluminescent algae is fairly common in oceans surrounding Tasmania, it's usually only ever in low numbers. The significant bloom witnessed this week is reportedly a sign of an imbalance in the ecosystem which is "rather scary", Dr Gershwin said.
Last year, Aussies visiting beaches throughout Esperance, Western Australia were greeted with a similar sight. At the time, the local council confirmed to Yahoo News the algae "likely swept in with winds and tides", forcing beaches across the region to shut until it "moved away".
The phenomenon is also witnessed around the country in riverbanks and other watering holes too.
Previously, people were warned to stay away from a popular and vast mangrove area in Brisbane after one stretch of water experienced a radical change in colour. Before that, some Sydney beaches were closed after a harmful algae was detected.
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week’s best stories.
