Algae bloom in Tauranga Harbour. Photo/supplied
A blue-green algae that has bloomed near Omokoroa in Tauranga Harbour is being investigated by Bay of Plenty Regional Council scientists.
The algae looks like "fine, green cotton wool" and is growing in 20 hectares of sea grass in the upper reaches of Mangawhai Bay, on the eastern side of
the Omokoroa Peninsula.
Regional council coastal scientist Rob Win said they do not yet know if it is harmful to people or what has caused the bloom. He suggested people steer clear and avoid contact as a precautionary measure.
"It's a type of blue-green algae or cyanobacteria that looks a lot like a species called Lyngbya. We've seen it amongst sea grass beds in the harbour before but not on this scale."
Mr Win said the bloom was likely to have occurred in response to unusually warm water temperatures in the harbour over summer and the high number of swans around Omokoroa.
