Algalert

Harmful algae and their potential risks are a growing concern.

Algalert provides information on harmful algal species and their potential risks. It is the result of data collection by Hornsby Shire Council, who have monitored algal populations within the Hawkebsury River since 1995. This data has been reviewed by C3 Research cluster at the University of Technology, Sydney.

The focus of the website is to provide information on what to do when harmful algae are blooming.

Whilst most the species have been collected from the Hawkesbury River, their wider occurrence along the east coast of Australia means other managers of estuaries can benefit from knowledge presented in this website. Other species which have been identified in other areas of Australia which might pose a threat to the east coast of Australia as a result of warmer waters are also included. Further, species included in this website are listed in the New South Wales Food Authority’s Marine Biotoxin Management Plan (2015) and the National Health and Medical Research Council Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Waters (2008).

This website includes published information and data as well as unpublished information from algal experts.