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Busan Metropolitan City Issues This Year's First Algae Alert at the Hwamyeong Waterfront Recreation Area at the "Caution" Level, Advises the Public to Refrain from Waterfront Activities

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced that it issued this year's first algae alert at the "Caution" level at 3:00 p.m. today (July 8) for the Hwamyeong Waterfront Recreation Area, where the waterfront algae alert system is being operated on a pilot basis. (Issued by the Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City.)

The alert was issued after surveys conducted on June 29 and July 7 found harmful cyanobacteria cell counts of 22,508 cells per milliliter (mL) and 22,177 cells per milliliter (mL), respectively, at the Hwamyeong Waterfront Recreation Area, exceeding the algae alert "Caution" threshold of 20,000 cells per milliliter (mL) in two consecutive measurements.

The increase is attributed to continued environmental conditions favorable for algal growth, including high water temperatures and reduced water flow, resulting in a significant rise in harmful cyanobacteria cell counts at the Hwamyeong Waterfront Recreation Area. This year's first algae alert for the waterfront area was issued approximately one month and 20 days earlier than last year. The first alerts were issued on August 28 in 2025 and August 29 in 2024.

In response to the issuance of the "Caution" alert, Busan Metropolitan City will immediately install banners at Hwamyeong Eco Park advising the public to refrain from water leisure activities and from fishing, harvesting, or consuming fish and shellfish. The City also plans to carry out public awareness activities through public announcements and on-site patrols.

Since 2024, Busan Metropolitan City has been operating a pilot waterfront algae alert system at the Samnak and Hwamyeong Waterfront Recreation Areas to ensure the safety of public waterfront activities.

Shim Jae-min, Assistant Mayor of Environmental Water Policy Office, said, "Until the algae alert is lifted, we ask the public to refrain from water leisure activities and from fishing, harvesting, or consuming fish and shellfish in the vicinity of Hwamyeong Eco Park. We will continue to prioritize public safety by making every effort to respond to algal outbreaks and manage the site effectively."