Red tide detected on West Coast

03 February 2015 - 13:34 By Sapa
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A red tide. File photo.
A red tide. File photo.
Image: NOAA/ Wikipedia

Red tide, which can render shellfish dangerous, has been detected on the west coast, the agriculture, forestry and fisheries department said.

"The department... is currently monitoring an algal bloom [red tide] detected on the west coast and has dispatched its scientists to the area to assess its extent and scope," spokesman Lionel Adendorf said in a statement.

Until the department had the results, the public were warned against collecting for consumption mussels, oysters, clams, bait and any other filter feeding shellfish north of Cape Columbine.

This was because these marine organisms could be highly toxic.

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