Expert panel affirms actions on Murray algal outbreak

04 March, 2010

The Murray-Darling Blue-green Algal Bloom Advisory Panel has concluded that the response to the latest outbreak along the Murray River is being coordinated and managed effectively.

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The panel, set up last year by Commonwealth and State governments, reconvened on Tuesday (2 March) to discuss the worsening outbreak of bloom in the Murray River. The panel included experts in water quality, river ecology, public health and animal health/toxicology and senior Commonwealth and state officials.

Chair Ms Jody Swirepik said that, at this stage, the the Murray Regional Algal Coordinating Committee was doing all it could to tackle the latest outbreak.

However, the panel has asked the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to undertake a study comparing the current algal bloom outbreak with last year’s.

The study will look for similarities and differences in the events to better understand the drivers of algal blooms along the Murray.

This study will be a collaborative project combining data and knowledge from all Basin States and the Commonwealth.

The panel agreed to reconvene as necessary over the next few months.

A large part of the River Murray on the New South Wales and Victorian border is currently affected by algal blooms and the NSW Murray Regional Algal Coordinating Committee has issued several red alerts to date.

It is most important that people avoid contact with water in the river in affected areas and follow advice from local authorities.

Media contact: Sam Leone, phone (02) 6279 0141

Photo: Arthur Mostead

For more information on latest alerts and information on the blue-green algal blooms in the River Murray System, click here.