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Busan Metropolitan City Issues “Caution” Level Algae Alert for Samnak Water Sports Town in Recreational Water Area

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced that as of 3:00 p.m. today, August 5, it has issued a Caution-level algae alert for the Samnak Water Sports Town monitoring point, where the Algae Alert System for Recreational Water Areas is being operated on a pilot basis, following an earlier alert for Hwamyeong. The alert was issued by the Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City.

The alert was issued after tests conducted on July 27 and August 3 found harmful cyanobacteria cell counts at the Samnak Water Sports Town monitoring point of 74,161 cells/mL and 105,220 cells/mL or more, respectively. These results exceeded the Caution-level algae alert threshold of 20,000 cells/mL in two consecutive tests.

The sharp increase in algae at Samnak Water Sports Town is believed to have resulted from continued conditions favorable to algal growth, including high water temperatures, prolonged drought, and reduced flow rates.

The first algae alert of the year was issued for Hwamyeong on July 8, 2026.

Under the algae alert criteria for recreational water areas, a Caution-level alert is issued when the cyanobacteria cell count reaches 20,000 cells/mL or more in two consecutive tests. An Alert-level warning is issued when the cyanobacteria cell count reaches 100,000 cells/mL or more in two consecutive tests, or when the algal toxin concentration reaches 20 μg/L or more. An Alert-level warning is also issued if the cyanobacteria cell count reaches 500,000 cells/mL or more in a single test. The alert is lifted when the cyanobacteria cell count falls below 20,000 cells/mL.

Following the issuance of the Caution-level algae alert, Busan Metropolitan City will immediately install banners advising people to refrain from water leisure activities in Samnak Ecological Park and from catching or consuming fish and shellfish. The city will also conduct public information activities through announcements and provide on-site guidance through patrols.

Meanwhile, Busan Metropolitan City has been operating the Algae Alert System for Recreational Water Areas on a pilot basis at Samnak and Hwamyeong Water Sports Towns since 2024 to ensure the safety of recreational water activities for residents.

Sim Jae-min, Assistant Mayor of Environmental and Water Policy Office, said, “Until the algae alert is lifted, we ask the public to refrain from water leisure activities around Samnak Ecological Park and from catching, including fishing, or consuming fish and shellfish.” He added, “Busan Metropolitan City will place public safety first and make every effort to respond to algal outbreaks and manage conditions on site.”