KNYSNA NEWS - According to a statement by SANParks, the Knysna Basin
Project and Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries have found
no evidence of toxicity of the red tide in Knysna.
Of the three types of organisms that could have potentially caused the
red tide in Knysna, the dinoflagellate group was identified as dominant.
Recent fish kills and the death of other marine life were due to the
unusually rapid fall in dissolved oxygen in the water column. "When any
portion of such a large bloom collapses, this can be expected."
The red tide appears to be greatly reduced in Knysna although still
evident in Tsitsikamma and surrounds. No incidents of human illness due
to the red tide were reported to SANParks, Knysna Municipality or the
Knysna Basin Project.
Restaurants were delighted to receive news that the water in the estuary
is now safe to use for the storage of filter feeders (mussels and
oysters).
Professor Brian Allanson of the Knysna Basin Project says extensive
research should continue but partners would have to think about costs
associated with such a project.
Doctor Tommy Bornman (South African Environmental Observation Network -
SAEON), who last week suspected that the local red tide could be of the
same toxic species found in the Algoa Bay area, could not be reached
this week to provide results of tests performed by SAEON on Wednesday,
February 5.
- Knysna Plett Herald
