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Media Release - Department of Natural Resources South Coast Regional Office Wollongong: 24 October 2006 ALGAL WARNING FOR BRISBANE WATERS LIFTED The algal warning for Brisbane Waters at the Riley's Island shellfish harvest area (around St Hubert's Island) has been lifted and commercial shellfish harvesting has re-commenced. The NSW Food Authority lifted the warning after shellfish flesh and water sampling showed the algal bloom was no longer present. Shellfish flesh samples collected on 8th October 2006 indicated the algae species Alexandrium catenella had been present in the water, however further shellfish flesh and water samples have shown the bloom is no longer present. The Regional Algal Committee will continue to monitor the situation and issue updates as required. All suspected algal blooms should be reported to the Regional Algal Committee during business hours (02 4729 8138), or the Department of Environment and Conservation’s Environment Line (131 555) after hours. *** If any health effects are experienced from contact with water affected by algal blooms, medical advice should be promptly sought This media alert only reports algal blooms that have been brought to the attention of the Metropolitan South Coast Regional Algal Coordinating Committee. Algal blooms may be present in other areas where there is no regular algal monitoring. Toll-Free Algal Information Line - 1800 999 457 for the latest information on algal blooms at certain recreational sites within the Sydney and South Coast Regions. Doug Rhodes 0409 983 008   MEDIA CONTACTS South Coast Regional Office Frances Wood 0437 596 103 Level 3, 84 Crown St PO Box 867 Wollongong NSW 2500 Telephone: (02) 4224 9638 Facsimile: (02) 4224 9650 Top of Page List of Media Releases © NSW Department of Natural Resources