Busan is good

Algal Bloom Alert Issued for Samnak and Hwamyeong Waterfront Leisure Towns

내용

Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it issued this year’s first “Caution” level alert under the algal bloom warning system for waterfront areas at Samnak and Hwamyeong Waterfront Leisure Towns today (28th) at 3:00 p.m. (Issued by: Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City).

According to the results of harmful cyanobacteria cell count measurements conducted on August 18 and 25, the [Samnak Waterfront Leisure Town] recorded 26,033 cells per milliliter (ml) and 206,660 cells/ml, while the [Hwamyeong Waterfront Leisure Town] recorded 28,517 cells/ml and 176,936 cells/ml. These figures exceeded the threshold of 20,000 cells/ml for the “Caution” level in the algal bloom warning system twice consecutively.

This increase is attributed to the continuation of environmental conditions favorable for algal growth, such as elevated water temperatures and strong sunlight, leading to a significant rise in harmful cyanobacteria cell counts in Samnak and Hwamyeong Waterfront Leisure Towns.

In response to the issuance of the “Caution” level alert, the city will immediately post banners and broadcast announcements in Samnak and Hwamyeong Ecological Parks, advising residents and visitors to refrain from water leisure activities and fishing and consumption of shellfish. The city also plans to carry out awareness campaigns through public notices and patrol activities.

Meanwhile, starting this year, the city has strengthened the criteria for issuing algal bloom alerts in waterfront areas. Under the revised standard, if the count exceeds 500,000 cells/ml even once, the “Warning” level will be issued immediately, introducing a new standard that prohibits all waterfront activities.

In addition, the city has extended until December this year the pilot operation of the algal bloom warning system for waterfront areas at Samnak and Hwamyeong Waterfront Leisure Towns, which began in June 2024 to ensure the safety of citizens engaged in waterfront activities.

[Algal Bloom Warning System Issuance Criteria: Alerts are issued when harmful cyanobacteria cell counts exceed thresholds]

• ●Waterfront Areas (unit: cells/ml)

• ○Caution: 20,000 or more (exceeding threshold twice consecutively)

• ○Warning: 100,000 or more (exceeding threshold twice consecutively)

• ○Lifted: below 20,000

• ○Strengthened criteria: Warning issued immediately if 500,000 or more exceeded once

※ Source water areas (two consecutive exceedances): “Caution” at 1,000 cells/ml or more, “Warning” at 10,000 or more, “Outbreak” at 1,000,000 or more.

Lee Byung-seok, Assistant Mayor for Environment and Water Policy Office, stated, “Until the algal bloom alert is lifted, we ask citizens to refrain from water leisure activities and fishing and consumption of shellfish in and around Samnak and Hwamyeong Ecological Parks.” He added, “We will prioritize citizen safety and do our utmost in responding to algal bloom occurrences and site management.”