UAE | Environment
Weather change 'will end worst red tide in years'
Officials in the emirate are confident that the 'red tide' phenomenon, which they have described as "the worst in years", could finally be coming to an end.
- By Fuad Ali, Staff Reporter
- Published: 16:28 November 17, 2008
Fujairah: Officials in the emirate are confident that the 'red tide' phenomenon, which they have described as "the worst in years", could finally be coming to an end.
Despite the closure of a water desalination plant in Khor Fakkan, officials say the natural, seasonal occurrence has already subsided drastically and could be completely dispersed by the change in weather.
However, as a precautionary measure, swimmers with allergic conditions towards pollen or plants were advised to take care and inspect the situation in the sea before taking a dip.
Tonnes of fish which died of asphyxiation were cleaned off the beaches by Dibba municipality workers and fishermen have been banned from fishing within eight nautical miles of the shore.
The marine phenomenon, which scientists refer to as 'Algal bloom', has hit Dibba area hard, but remnants have also managed to reach large sways of the east coast including Khor Fakkan.
The event happens when algae accumulates rapidly in the water and can often result in depleting oxygen or producing natural toxins.
Engineer Saif Mohammad Al Shara, Director of the East Region Office for the Ministry of Environment and Water, told Gulf News the recent change in weather could help end this year's occurrence.
He said: "The 'red tide' happens every year but, for a number of reasons, this year it has been the worst for years. The size and spread of the occurrence has adversely affected fishing and tourism industries."
Affected: Plant still closed
Officials from the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) say they are closely monitoring the quality of sea water affected by the 'red tide' before they decide to re-open the water desalination plant in Khor Fakkan.
The newly opened water desalination plant was shut down on Saturday evening after waves of the 'red tide' phenomenon reached the site.
"Ground water will be available for all until the desalination plant is cleaned up. The only difference is that the water will be a little saltier," said Ahmad Al Mulla, Assistant Director for Technical Affairs at Sewa's East Coast Office.
- Mariam Al Serkal and Fuad Ali, Staff Reporters
Share this article
Popular in UAE
-
Have your say
Living in untidy homes
Do you think that people who live in untidy homes have bad character?
Latest news
- Khalifa congratulates Karzai on re-election
- Khalifa receives congratulatory call from Talabani
- Camel in RAK gives birth to twins
- Saif is appointed Emiratisation chief
- Pavement parking irks pedestrians
- Man jailed 3 years in fatal assault of colleague
- Murder: Mother gets stiffer sentence
- Traffic Prosecution adopts humanitarian step
- UAE starts administering H1N1 vaccines
- 'All-green' project to ease traffic flow
- Complaints against cab drivers decline
- Thalassaemia website 'will help educate youth'
- Dubai Police open centre to combat marine pollution
- Readers: Less water usage means less desalination
- No hike in water, electricity rates
Community Reports
-
Pavement parking irks pedestrians
Gulf News reader calls on authorities to step in and stop car owners from invading pathways meant for safe walking
-
Faded parking lines pose a problem
Motorists could be fined for parking incorrectly even though they can hardly see the boundaries in the designated areas
-
School buses block residential parking
Commercial vehicles taking up free parking facilities in Al Wuheida, inconveniencing residents in surrounding villas
-
Community report: Doing their bit for poor children
A group of students takes concrete action to raise funds for Dubai Cares
