Red tide triggers West Coast lobster washouts, public warned

A red tide event along South Africa’s West Coast has triggered mass lobster and fish washouts, with authorities warning the public not to consume affected seafood due to health risks.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) said low oxygen levels caused by algal blooms led to large-scale marine deaths, including West Coast rock lobster.

Read:

“The time of death cannot be confirmed … consumption may result in severe illness or death,” the department said.

Authorities have activated contingency measures, including relocating live lobsters, removing carcasses and monitoring water conditions.

The incident also poses risks to the fishing industry, particularly small-scale operators and coastal communities that rely on lobster catches for income.

Read:

Red tide events can disrupt supply, affect prices and lead to temporary fishing restrictions, adding pressure to an already constrained sector.

Police have been deployed to prevent the illegal collection and sale of contaminated seafood.

* Likho Mbuka is a Moneyweb intern.  

Follow Moneyweb’s in-depth finance and business news on WhatsApp here.