Algal bloom spreads to Lake Wellington and Lake Victoria

Wednesday, 25 January 2012

Recent testing of water in Lake Wellington and Lake Victoria has detected levels of blue-green algae that are high enough to warrant the installation of signs warning people not to come into contact with the affected water.

The Department of Health advises that contact with affected water could result in skin irritation and respiratory or hayfever-like symptoms. Toxin produced by the blue-green algae can affect liver function if ingested through affected water or seafood. The water can also affect animals, so pets should not be allowed to swim in it.

Warning signs will be installed at Loch Sport, Marlay Point, Hollands Landing and other locations around Lake Wellington and Lake Victoria.

Signs remain in place at Metung, Paynesville, Eagle Point, Bunga Arm, Ocean Grange and Steamer Landing, where the levels of algae are still well above the trigger levels that can affect human health.

The Department of Health advises that contact with the water in these areas should be avoided, particularly where floating scums, discoloured water or clumps of algae are evident.

Lakes Entrance and Jones Bay remain at low levels and are safe for recreational water use. Lake Tyers is unaffected by the algal bloom.

Mussels, prawns and crabs caught anywhere in the Gippsland Lakes, except Lake Tyers, are affected by toxin and not safe for human consumption.

The Department of Health advises that people can fish in the Lakes, but anglers are advised to remove and discard the gills and guts before cooking. Blue-green algae toxin concentrates in the internal organs of fish and fish should not be cooked whole as this will re-distribute toxins from the gut to the fish flesh, making it unsafe to eat.

Toxin levels in seafood will continue to be monitored. As soon as testing shows that seafood in affected areas is safe for human consumption the public will be informed.

The levels of algae in the water will also continue to be monitored on a regular basis and the public will continue to be informed about any changes in those levels.

Information about blue-green algae is available on the DSE water website www.water.vic.gov.au/environment/algae and from DSE’s Customer Service Centre on 136 186.