Cyanobacteria has been sighted along Portstewart Strand
Blue-green algae on the River Bann where it meets Lough Neagh near the village of Toome. Niall Carson/PA Wire
Portstewart Strand has been issued with a temporary advice against bathing notice after blue-green algae was sighted in the area.
The warning has been in place since Tuesday and comes after an assessment by DAERA’s bathing waters team.
Department officers noted that blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, had been “recorded at a red alert level”.
The Co Londonderry strand was named the UK’s beach of the year by the Sunday Times in July – mainly due to the cleanliness of the water and beach itself.
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The National Trust issued a list of recommendations for visitors:
- Don’t play with scum or mats on the shore
- Don’t let animals drink water, eat algae or swim
- Don’t swim
- Don’t fish or wade
- Don’t boat or kayak
Contact with blue-green algae blooms can cause skin irritation, mild respiratory effects and hay-fever like symptoms. Ingesting it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, fever and headaches.
It can be fatally toxic to animals such as dogs and bird who come into contact with it.
“DAERA will continue to monitor Portstewart Strand and advise of any changes,” said a National Trust spokesperson.
“For further information or if you suspect you have seen this algae please contact Northern Ireland Environment Agency using their reporting app for suspected sightings of blue green algae.”