The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) following a notification from Ras Al Khaimah Environmental Protection and Development Authority, has announced that it has observed biological activity in the form of chlorophyll pigments in the local waters.
Authorities spotted the presence of phytoplankton, commonly known as algal bloom or “red tide”, in the areas alongside the economic zone overlooking the west coast of the Arabian Gulf and the eastern coast of the Gulf of Oman.
As certain types of phytoplankton can make marine organisms poisonous to humans, the ministry urges fishermen and beachgoers to refrain from fishing and collecting shellfish for consumption in the areas of red tide. In addition, people with allergies are asked to avoid swimming in affected waters.
A team of specialists from the ministry has already been collecting and analyzing water samples from the said coastals to identify the types of phytoplankton present.
