Deadly algae identified

The algae responsible for killing many species of fish in the Hibiscus Coast area have been identified as karenia mikimoto. Dead fish washed up on the beach were tested by NIWA scientists who found the algae responsible for phenomenon.

The algae is similar to that which wiped out thousands of fish around Wellington in 1998. According to NIWA scientists algae is common in seawater but only forms in large quantities in an El Nino year.

The algae kills fish by fixing itself to the gills were it produces toxins that eventually lead to suffocation.