Blue-green algae: Winter sightings confirmed in two NI locations
- Published
A photo of blue-green algae noted close to jetties and shoreline at Mill Lough near Bellanaleck
Blooms of potentially toxic blue-green algae have been identified at two locations in Northern Ireland since the start of 2024.
They were reported at Mill Lough near Bellanaleck in County Fermanagh and Moorlough near Strabane in County Tyrone.
Both occurred in early January and were confirmed by scientists from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
Neither are currently considered to be of concern.
No signs of a bloom at Moorlough were detected 10 days after confirmation, but Derry City and Strabane Council has placed warning notices in the area urging vigilance.
A photo of the blue-green algae at Moorlough was submitted by a member of the public to UKCEH's Bloomin' Algae app
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said it was "not unusual" for algae blooms to occur in winter during periods of settled sunny weather.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency said it would continue to record events and review any significant increase in bloom numbers.
On Wednesday the new Daera Minister Andrew Muir visited Lough Neagh, where unprecedented algal blooms appeared last year.
He said addressing the challenges of the lough were "high" on his priority list.
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