'It's like having an amusement park and not opening it' - algae closures take toll

Algal blooms can resurge during warm weather conditions As locals and visitors make the trip to Northern Ireland's lakes in search of summer sunshine, they are once again facing an unwelcome sight: blue-green algae. The toxic bacteria which can cause skin irritation and sickness in people and animals who come into contact with it, has become an unwelcome feature of recent summers. There are currently 247 algae blooms across Lough Neagh and Northern Ireland's water systems, according to the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, external. Eighty have been confirmed in June and July alone. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) said two of the areas affected are Camlough Lake near Newry and Craigavon Lakes. For one business owner based at Camlough Lake, the return of blue-green algae has had an immediate impact. Karl Toner, who owns a coffee cart on the shore as well as a nearby glamping site and paddleboard hire business, said visitor numbers have fallen sharply since the warning was issued on 13 July. "In the summertime this place really goes off, now the algae has just completely killed it," he said. Toner explained how warm weather would normally bring visitors from across Northern Ireland and beyond to the area, providing a trade boost. "On a good day, there would be hundreds of people here from the morning right through until midnight, swimming and enjoying the lake, but now the place is empty," he said. Karl Toner has been working in the area around Camlough Lake for over five years Toner said algae warnings in previous years meant visitor numbers suffered, but now the timing is particularly damaging for footfall during one of the best spells of summer weather. "When the weather gets good, the lake is closed. It's like having an amusement park and not opening it," he said. Warning signs have been erected close to Camlough Lake Newry, Mourne and Down District Council said it was notified 13 July of the presence of blue-green algae at Camlough Lake, and erected warning signs immediately to alert the public to the potential health risks. The council said it was carrying out regular visual monitoring of the lake and arranging toxin testing, adding that warning signs will remain in place until the required safety criteria under the protocol is met. A Daera spokesperson said that while there are "no quick fixes", restoring and protecting the ecological health of water bodies "is possible ".