Irish coastal survey identifies 'carpets' of green algae and 'huge numbers of dying cockles'

Algae on the surface of Lough Neagh at Ballyronan Marina last week.

A citizen survey of Ireland's coasts has so far reported worrying signs, including "carpets of opportunistic green algae and sludge layers" in parts of West Cork and Dublin Bay.

The Coastwatch survey, which has been going for 36 years, has scores of volunteers all over the country examining and monitoring areas of about 500m, spending an hour taking notes and auditing the health of the patch of chosen shoreline.