Phu Quoc sea painted red by blooming algae

By Ngoc Tai June 13, 2024 | 01:41 am PT

Red tides are seen at a corner of the Mun beach in Phu Quoc Island, June 12, 2024. Photo provided to VnExpress

Red tides of blooming algae, spanning 1,000 square meters, have been spotted at Mun beach in Phu Quoc Island.

This is the first time such a phenomenon has been seen at the beach of Vietnam's largest island, according to the People's Committee of Tho Chau Commune.

The sea turned to red starting 10 a.m. on Wednesday and then continued to spread, eventually spanning a huge area of around 1,000 square meters.

Locals later discovered dead sea creatures, mainly small fish, washing ashore. By Thursday morning, the color had faded a bit, before completely dissipating.

Do Van Dung, secretary of Tho Chau Commune, said the Mun beach did not have any fishing vessels, and few people came to the area.

There has been no significant damage recorded due to the red tide phenomenon.

Red tides, caused by blooming algae amid an overproliferation of algae, can produce toxins and reduce oxygen levels in the water, causing the death of sea life.

Tho Chau is located about 100 km away from the center of Phu Quoc, and about 220 km away from Rach Gia, the center of Kien Giang Province.