Possible Red Tide Warning for Port Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela Bay

Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa - Following the recent discolouration (red sea water) of sea water in some areas of the Nelson Mandela Bay coastal area and the subsequent tests and consultations that the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality has made with experts on this field, the municipality would like to send a warning to the members of the public to be cautious around the beaches.

“We would like to advise them not to consume shellfish from our costal area until such time we are convinced that it is safe to do so. The municipality with its stakeholders who are specialists in this field are currently running tests to determine whether this discolouration of water is toxic or not,” says Mthubanzi Mniki, the municipality’s Communications Officer.

The municipality is also making consultations with relevant national government departments in regard to this matter. This means that the municipality cannot be in a position to confirm whether fish/shellfish consumed from the affected areas are toxic or not.

Preliminary results from samples collected have identified eight species of dinoflagellates, that might the because of the change of the water colour.

“We also call upon people of the Nelson Mandela Bay not to panic or raise an alarm about this as we are working around the clock to come to the bottom of it.

“We will be updating through media on the developments on this issue,” says Mniki.