AN extensive algal bloom has been observed by researchers on the west coast of Ireland. According to the Marine Institute, the bloom of Karenia mikimotoi has been responsible for mortalities of a variety of fish and invertebrates along the coastline from Galway to Donegal over the last three weeks.
The bloom which has been monitored by the phytoplankton unit in the Marine Institute since it initially appeared in mid June in the Galway area and since then has moved up the coast.
Reports of dead lugworms, crabs, flatfish and dogfish have been made by local fishermen in Donegal. In addition there have been reports of an absence of prawns in the Donegal bay area. Satellite images of the bloom show the extent of the bloom along the coast and up to approx 100km offshore. The most recent update shows increasing cell concentrations in Mulroy Bay and Lough Swilly.
The scientists say that this species has been observed to cause stress to finfish operations, mortalities of shellfish and marine invertebrates due to the presence of a mild toxin that affects fish and shellfish through the gills. It may also may affect organisms by deoxygenation following the collapse of a bloom.
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