Bloom causes ‘ecological disaster’

IT will take many shellfish species several years to recover from a plankton bloom that has caused serious damage to marine life off the Kerry coast, experts said yesterday.

The bloom has killed large numbers of cockles, mussels, clams, some flat fish, conger eels and mullet, but oysters and lobster have, so far, escaped, according to Kevin Flannery, who works with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

“This is a virtual ecological disaster in the worst affected area along the upper parts of Dingle Bay from Minard across to Kells, including Castlemaine Harbour and beaches such as Inch and Rossbeigh.

“Eventually, Mother Nature will take its course and the bloom will be taken away by wind and rain, but we don’t know how long it will take species to recover,” added Mr Flannery.

The bloom, which also affected other areas along the south and west coasts, has the effect of taking oxygen from the water, thus killing the fish.

The Marine Institute said the bloom was not harmful to humans and people can swim in the water.