Ministry allays concerns over algae bloom

Energy Wednesday 05/February/2020 21:18 PM
By: Times News Service
Ministry allays concerns over algae bloom

Muscat: It has been noticed during the winter season that water of the sea becomes green in some coastal regions of the Sultanate. Especially in the governorates of South and North Al Batinah, Muscat and South Al Sharqiya.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, “This phenomenon is known as the algae bloom, and its intensity increases in winter season due to natural factors that stimulate its growth, such as changes in water temperatures, movement of marine currents loaded with nutrients, and also the activity of monsoons. This phenomenon can also occur in the summer if one of the factors is available.”
“The colour of the water changes during this phenomenon clearly, and the colour shades of water vary between red, brown, orange, light yellow and green, as the colour depends on the colour of marine algae caused by this phenomenon.”
“The proliferation of algae in a certain area leads to decreased oxygen in the water, and consequently the death of fish and other marine organisms as a result of suffocation and inability to breathe or as a result of the blockage of their gills from the effect of all suspended algae.”
“The phenomenon may be accompanied by the emergence of unpleasant odours as a result of the decomposition of the algae and death of marine organisms. During the periodic follow-up of the beaches in the Sultanate, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries represented by the Centre for Marine Sciences and Fisheries and other departments affiliated to it in the Sultanate collects the necessary samples through a monitoring programme and analyses them in the laboratory to know the type of algae and how dense it is in sea water.”
“The Ministry assures to all citizens and expats on the Sultanate that there are no environmental damages until now for the currently spreading case, and no case has been recorded of any deaths of marine creatures, and the type of algae bloom is considered non-toxic. If you notice any death of fish or marine creatures, please inform the Centre for Marine Sciences and Fisheries or contact 98088545.”