Recreational shellfish collectors are being warned not to eat shellfish from Hobsons Bay after two marine algal blooms were detected at the mouth of the Yarra River.
Blooms are concentrations of miniscule marine plants varying in colour, sometimes mistaken for oil pollution.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) on Wednesday said a routine sample had found high levels of the potentially toxic algae dinophysis acuminate and pseudo-nitzchia.
DELWP is testing the water at three sites, including Anchorage marina in Williamstown.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said the one-in 100-year storm had flushed a large amount of organic pollution into Port Phillip Bay, with the increase in nutrients possibly causing more algal blooms.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Chris Eagle said two algal blooms had been detected at the mouth of the Yarra River.
“We are undertaking further sampling today to assess the bloom and will continue to monitor it until it disperses or moves on following the currents of the bay,” he said on Wednesday.
“As the warm weather continues we are likely to see more of these blooms in the bay, which are a natural occurrence and usually disperse within a few days.
“Most of the algal blooms seen in the bay do not affect fish for consumption. However, as a precaution we are advising people not to eat shellfish taken from this localised area.
“It is still safe to eat any shellfish bought from shops or supplied by commercial fisheries.”
Swimmers are also being advised to avoid contact water that looks murky or discoloured, as algae may cause skin and eye irritation.
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