Glow in the dark green Algae.

[kitefrog]

Cool,

My mate was kiting in Liverpool (Ainsdale) until 2am a few nights ago and reported seeing glowing algae. There were "green sparks" in his boards wake and trails of his wake left in excited algae. Sounds like an epic sesion. Ever seen any? David

[RickI]

Cool,

My mate was kiting in Liverpool (Ainsdale) until 2am a few nights ago and reported seeing glowing algae. There were "green sparks" in his boards wake and trails of his wake left in excited algae. Sounds like an epic sesion. Ever seen any? David

From: http://www.elenas-vieques.com/

You saw bioluminescence. It is fairly common in subtropical and tropical waters. There are some bays in Puerto Rico that are world famous for the abundance of biolumenescent life at night as shown above. I never considered the point before but I would guess you might see this phenomena globally. Go off the beach into the ocean with a mask on at night. Wave your hand around and you may see small green lights flash on then off. More at:

http://www.lifesci.ucsb.edu/~biolum/



This shrimp has even evolved into using biolum. as a distraction for defense.
From: http://www.elenas-vieques.com/
They copied the chemical reaction in the production of Cyalum sticks, cold chemically induced lighting with Luciferase, what a name!

[EdDy_DiFfUsIvItY]

Rick - I seriously doubt that angler fish was at surface level let alone in liverpool bay !

Its probably phosphorecent algae from cellafield !

David - Cellafield is only up the coast. Nuclear power effluent lights up your life........

kiting in ainsdale till 2 am ? WDF !!!

[EdDy_DiFfUsIvItY]

We sample the following Non EC Identified Beaches and in addition, carry out a survey of beach litter at the time of sampling (Garber Survey):

Barkby Beach, Prestatyn
Ffrith Beach, Prestatyn
Splash Point, Rhyl
Gronant Dunes, Prestatyn

Bathing water from each of the above mentioned beaches is monitored between 1st May and the 30th September each year.


In order to achieve high quality coastal water around Wales, the "Green Sea Partnership" has been set up and is co-ordinated by the Wales Tourist Board. Other members include: Local Authorities, Water Companies, local environment groups, the Countryside Council for Wales, the Environment Agency and Industry.


Marine Algae

Marine algal (phytoplankton) blooms can occur in Liverpool Bay and associated coastlines, and can affect some beaches in North Wales. These are caused by increased marine algal growth, forming dense populations of algae at different times and places. They are a natural occurrence and can occur in the spring and early summer. Some of the species which have been observed include:

Phaeocystis - can bring ashore gelatinous material and in rougher weather / windy conditions can cause foam. The blooms are non-toxic, but can cause aesthetic problems such as an unpleasant cabbage type smell when the algae are dying.

Chaetoceros - which is a long chain algae with spines and spears. It is an irritant to fish gills, thereby affecting the fish and causes some fish deaths. It is non-toxic to humans.

Noctiluca - it is non-toxic, but can turn the sea bright red, light green, orange or black and be phosphorescent.

Further information can be obtained from the Environment Agency Marine, Biological & Chemical Consultants (MBCC) monitors and investigates these blooms along the North Western Coasts of England & Wales.

Source - UK environment Agency.

[mickpilch]

I've seen the odd brown trout & knicker pidgeon round our way.... they didnt glow, but they sure smelled like they soulda done

[Kiteboarddog]

First time I saw it I was swimming at night (drunk) across a Marina.
The Phosforescent Jelly fish were all around me.
I thought I was being attacked by aliens and was in a tracter beam (remember I was drunk)
Latter in life I have seen them many times behind my sailboat while night sailing. They are beatiful in the wake.
I have not kited with them yet but that would be so cool
Joel

[Hugolito]

Cool,

My mate was kiting in Liverpool (Ainsdale) until 2am a few nights ago and reported seeing glowing algae. There were "green sparks" in his boards wake and trails of his wake left in excited algae. Sounds like an epic sesion. Ever seen any? David

we ahve it alot her ein sweden in the winter time, but then is way to cold to swim with them..

"maar fire"

[Hampton]

In Panama City, we get the green glow in the water periodically. A friend of mine and I had picked a night to go fishing when, coincidentally, the water was full of the stuff. We were able to sight cast to fish by size and sometimes type! Each movement of anything illuminated the area around it which illuminated the object/fish itself. They also left nice trails. It was easy to guide the bait to the fish of choice.

On another occassion, my family and I were returning from dinner out on the boat when we noticed a bright green glow around the hull. At cruise speed, the entire hull was illuminated in a green glow in an otherwise unlit environment. It was a sight of a lifetime.

[Andres_Santacruz]

I saw algae once in Cabos San Lucas
they had washed up on shore, and so as we walked on the beach at night, we left glowing footprints, very very cool

[Airhead]

Liverpool is going sub tropical, nice one who said the gulf stream is moving.