Red tide sighting sparks new fears

SMALL patches of red tide occurred offshore to the west of Port Elizabeth this week, sparking fears of a return of the massive toxic outbreak which covered hundreds of kilometres of the Eastern and Southern Cape coastline in January.

The Herald fielded numerous calls of red tide sightings in the Seaview and Maitlands River Mouth areas on Wednesday.

An inspection showed small patches of the algae blooms between the river mouth and the entrance to Seaview.

Marine scientist and red tide expert Dr Tommy Bornman yesterday confirmed the presence of the red tide and that samples of it had already been taken for analysis.

Bornman said the red tide was normal and was only occurring in small pockets.

When asked whether the red tide was a potential prelude to a more extensive occurrence, Bornman said given the right conditions, such as warm ocean surface temperatures and favourable winds, there was a high probability that the large red tide could return.

The red tide experienced earlier in the year was the most extensive and most toxic yet seen in the Eastern Cape.

"The new species of algae which arrived in the area in the beginning of the year and contributed to the big red tide has not left the Bay," he said.

Bornman said large jellyfish strandings had been recorded at Bluewater Bay, while black mussels had washed up at Plettenberg Bay this week, but that these events were unrelated to red tide. - Shaun Gillham