Gippsland Lakes blue-green algae update

Monday, 6 February 2012

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) continues to work with the Department of Health, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), local government, tourism representatives and the commercial fishing industry to respond to the blue-green algal bloom currently affecting the Gippsland Lakes.

Regular testing of water and seafood across the Lakes currently shows that some areas are still above the trigger levels at which human and animal health might be at risk.

Signs warning against swimming and other contact with the water are in place at the following locations:

• Loch Sport
• Marlay Point
• Hollands Landing
• Paynesville
• Eagle Point
• Metung
• Bunga Arm
• Ocean Grange
• Steamer Landing

Lakes Wellington, Lake Victoria and most of Lake King are affected by the algal bloom, with scums and green water obvious in many places.

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.

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.

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 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 also continues to be monitored on a regular basis and the public will to be informed about any changes in those levels.

Information about places to visit in Gippsland is available at www.inspiredbygippsland.com.au for Visitor Information Centre phone enquiries please call 51 55 1966 or 51 52 3444.

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

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