Lyngbya

Lyngbya majuscula is a species of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that occurs in Moreton Bay. Found attached to seagrass beds, it grows in fine cotton wool-like strands. Strands are often 10 to 30 centimeters in length.
 

Causes of Lyngbya blooms

Several environmental factors lead to rapid growth or blooms of Lyngbya. Increased Lyngbya growth requires water temperatures over 24°C and favourable light conditions.
Lyngbya growth also requires elevated levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, bio-available iron and dissolved organic matter in the water column.
Blooms only occur during the summer months under optimal growing conditions. The wool-like strands often clump together. Then rise to the surface forming large floating mats.
 

Avoid contact with Lyngbya

Lyngbya material originating from floating mats sometimes washes up on beaches in large quantities. When people come into direct contact with Lyngbya, either in the water or on land, toxins present in the cyanobacteria can cause skin or eye irritation. Beach goers should avoid all contact with algal material on the beach or in the water where Lyngbya may be present.
 

Council’s Response to Lyngbya

Over the years, Councils response to the clean-up of Lyngbya washed ashore has evolved. From a monitoring and threshold trigger-based response to a practical operational approach. This evolution in Councils response, is due to the availability of information and resources, such as a beach cleaner.
 
Council may be able to remove the bulk of Lyngbya that washes ashore from popular sandy beaches, where practical. But due to environmental reasons, such as the impact on sensitive marine plant ecosystems like mangroves or saltmarshes. As well as operational restrictions including machinery access, beach access and tidal influences. Council is unable to remove Lyngbya from all locations along our coastline. 
 
In some circumstances, public access to beaches may close due to the presence of significant deposits of Lyngbya and during clean up efforts.

If you sight Lyngbya material on beaches within the Moreton Bay region, contact Council.

 

Detached Lyngbya
A detached piece of Lyngbya
Lyngbya on the beach
Lyngbya washed upon the beach
Floating Lyngbya Mat
Floating Lyngbya mat