Red tide provides bioluminescent light show at night

DIRTY looking seawater off large stretches of the Eastern Cape coastline in recent weeks has been blamed on a red tide.

Although holidaymakers complained at the colour of the seawater by day, many marvelled at the bioluminescent light show at night as crashing waves glowed green.

Experts yesterday said although the red tide along the coast this year was caused by the invasive Lingulodinium polyedrum, which turned large areas into bright red over the previous two summers, it was not as extensive as before. But they warned that it could flare up as extensively as previously, given the right conditions.

Port Elizabeth based Dr Tommy Bornman, who has been researching the red tide for the South African Environmental Observation Network, said calm, warm, nutrient-filled water in recent weeks had created perfect conditions for the tiny phytoplankton called dinoflagellates to increase rapidly, turning the water red.

According to Buffalo City marine services chief Siani Tinley: “This particular species is not harmful to swimmers unless they ingest a very large amount of sea water.”

“Eating shellfish is not advised but eating freshly caught fish should be fine.”